What is Dataset structured data, and how do you add it?
guide // , 5 min read, by Darthwares
Dataset structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page's content, specifically describing a body of structured information about a topic. Adding this markup helps Google understand and surface your data, making datasets easier to find in tools like Google's Dataset Search. The purpose of this markup is to improve the discovery of datasets from various fields, including life sciences, social sciences, machine learning, and government data. By classifying page content, structured data can enable search results that are more engaging to users.
On this page // 5 sections
The short version
- Dataset structured data is a standardized format that describes a body of structured information on a page.
- It helps Google understand and surface your datasets, improving their discoverability in tools like Google's Dataset Search.
- To improve discoverability, provide supporting information such as name, description, creator, and distribution formats. Always include all required properties for eligibility.
- Implement structured data using in-page markup, preferably JSON-LD, ensuring the data is visible to users.
- Validate your implementation with tools like the Rich Results Test to fix errors and ensure eligibility for rich results.
What is Dataset structured data?
Dataset structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying its content. Schema.org defines a Dataset as a body of structured information describing some topic or topics of interest. The primary purpose of this markup is to improve the discovery of datasets, particularly those from fields such as life sciences, social sciences, machine learning, and civic and government data.
When you provide supporting information like a dataset's name, description, creator, and distribution formats as structured data, these datasets become easier to find in tools like Google's Dataset Search. Google uses structured data to understand the content of a page and to gather information about the web and the world. Adding structured data can also enable search results that are more engaging to users, which are known as rich results, and might encourage more interaction with your website.
What information should you include?
Google documents that you should provide supporting information such as a dataset's name, description, creator, and distribution formats as structured data to make them easier to find. For an object to be eligible for appearance in Google Search with enhanced display, you must include all the required properties for that object. This means specifying all required properties listed in the documentation for your specific rich result type.
Schema.org defines properties that can provide more detail about a dataset. For example, the `distribution` property describes a downloadable form of the dataset at a specific location and in a specific format. This property can be repeated if different variations are available, and there is no expectation that different downloadable distributions must contain exactly equivalent information. Schema.org also defines the `temporalCoverage` property, which indicates the period that the content applies to, either as a date and time or as a textual string in ISO 8601 time interval format.
The `variableMeasured` property can indicate the variables that are measured in some dataset, either described as text or as pairs of identifier and description using PropertyValue, or more explicitly as a StatisticalVariable. The `measurementTechnique` property helps when extra clarification is needed about how a measured property was measured. Google recommends limiting all textual properties to 5000 characters or less.
How do you add Dataset structured data to your page?
Structured data is coded using in-page markup on the page that the information applies to. Google recommends using a format that is easiest for you to implement and maintain, with JSON-LD being the most common choice. All three formats (JSON-LD, Microdata, RDFa) are equally fine for Google, provided the markup is valid and properly implemented according to the feature's documentation.
It is crucial that the structured data you add is a true representation of the page content and is visible to the user. You should not create blank or empty pages solely to hold structured data. Similarly, do not add structured data about information that is not visible to the user, even if the information is accurate. Marking up content that is not visible to readers of the page is against Google's guidelines.
How do you validate Dataset structured data?
After adding Dataset structured data, you should validate your code using the Rich Results Test and fix any critical errors. The Rich Results Test is an easy and useful tool for validating your structured data and, in some cases, previewing how a feature might appear in Google Search. You can also use the URL Inspection tool to check compliance with technical guidelines, as these tools catch most technical errors.
Google documents that to be eligible for rich result appearance, structured data should not violate the Content policies for Google Search, which include their spam policies. If your page contains a structured data issue, it can result in a manual action. While correct markup is important, Google does not guarantee that your structured data will show up in search results, even if it passes the Rich Results Test.
To ensure proper indexing, do not block your structured data pages to Googlebot using robots.txt, noindex, or any other access control methods. If you do not want a dataset to appear in Dataset Search results, you can use the robots meta tag to control how your dataset is indexed.
Common questions
What is the main purpose of Dataset structured data?
The main purpose of Dataset structured data is to improve the discovery of datasets from various fields, such as life sciences, social sciences, machine learning, and government data. It helps search engines understand and surface your data, making it easier for users to find.
What information makes Dataset structured data easier to find?
Google documents that datasets are easier to find when you provide supporting information such as their name, description, creator, and distribution formats. For an object to be eligible for enhanced display in Google Search, you must include all the required properties for that object, as listed in the documentation for your specific rich result type.
Which format should I use for Dataset structured data?
Google recommends using a format that is easiest for you to implement and maintain. In most cases, this is JSON-LD. All three formats (JSON-LD, Microdata, RDFa) are equally acceptable to Google, provided the markup is valid and properly implemented.
Can I hide structured data from users?
No, you should not hide structured data from users. Google's guidelines state that you should not add structured data about information that is not visible to the user, even if it is accurate. The structured data must be a true representation of the page content that readers can see.
How do I prevent a dataset from appearing in Dataset Search?
If you do not want a dataset to show up in Dataset Search results, you can use the robots meta tag to control how your dataset is indexed. This allows you to manage its visibility in search tools.
Primary sources and further reading
This article was researched and written by an AI model and published automatically. It was written from sentences that were checked to appear on the pages below, but a person has not reviewed the text. If something is wrong, tell us at chibivikramathithan@darthwares.com and we will correct it.