Google Introduces Certification Markup for Merchant Listings

Google has announced a significant update to its product structured data documentation, introducing Certification markup support for merchant listings. This change is set to take effect in April 2025.


What’s New?

Starting in April 2025, Google will replace the existing EnergyConsumptionDetails type with the more robust Certification type. This update aims to enhance the accuracy and relevance of product information available to users by supporting a broader range of certifications and covering more countries.


Why the Change?

The primary reason for this update is to provide a more comprehensive framework for certifications. The new Certification type will:

  • Support a wider range of certifications: Beyond just energy consumption, it will cover various types of product certifications.
  • Enhance global applicability: It will be relevant to more countries, ensuring that product information is accurate and reliable worldwide.

What Should Merchants Do?

Merchants and website owners who currently use the EnergyConsumptionDetails type in their structured data should transition to the Certification type by April 2025. This involves updating their product listings to include the necessary certification information using the new markup.


Benefits of the Update

  • Improved Visibility: Products with detailed and accurate certification information are more likely to be favored in search results.
  • Increased Trust: Providing comprehensive certification details can enhance consumer trust and confidence in the product.
  • Global Relevance: The new type supports certifications from a wider range of countries, making it easier for international consumers to understand product standards.

How to Implement the Certification Markup

To implement the Certification markup, merchants should:

  1. Review the updated structured data documentation: Familiarize themselves with the new Certification type and its requirements.
  2. Update their product listings: Ensure that all relevant certification information is included using the new markup.
  3. Test their structured data: Use Google’s tools to validate the updated markup and ensure it is correctly implemented.

Conclusion

This update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality and reliability of product information available to users. By transitioning to the Certification type, merchants can provide more detailed and globally relevant certification information, ultimately enhancing their product listings' visibility and trustworthiness.

For more detailed guidance on implementing the Certification markup, you can refer to the official Google documentation


References:

Google’s Latest Documentation Updates


Previous Updates

Google Updates on Best Practices for Dynamically-Generated Product Markup.

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