What's Inside
- What is the Rich Results Test?
- Rich results vs rich snippets
- How to use the tool, step by step
- Errors, warnings and valid items
- Test tool vs Schema Markup Validator vs Search Console
- Which structured data types are supported
- Why a page passes but shows no rich results
- How to test structured data on WordPress
- When to ask for help
- Frequently asked questions
- The bottom line
Quick answer
The Rich Results Test is Google's free tool at search.google.com/test/rich-results. Enter a public page URL or paste a code snippet. It reports which rich result types the page is eligible for, plus errors and warnings. Passing means your markup is valid. It does not guarantee Google will show a rich result.
Key takeaways
- Test a live URL for pages that are published. Paste a code snippet for markup that is not live yet.
- Errors block rich results. Warnings do not.
- A passing page is eligible, not guaranteed. Google decides what to show.
- FAQ rich results ended on May 7, 2026, so do not chase them.
What Is the Rich Results Test?
The Rich Results Test is an official Google tool that reads the structured data on a page and tells you which enhanced search features the page could qualify for. It lists errors and warnings, and it can show a preview of how some results might look.
Google introduced it in December 2017 to replace the older Structured Data Testing Tool. It reads three formats: JSON-LD, Microdata and RDFa. Google recommends JSON-LD because it sits in one block of code and is easier to maintain.
Structured data is the input. A rich result is the output. The tool checks the input. Google decides on the output.
Rich Results vs. Rich Snippets: What Is the Difference?
"Rich snippet" is the older term for a search listing with extras such as star ratings. "Rich result" is Google's current term. It covers the same idea and also carousels, images, events, products and more.
You will see both words online. Google's documentation uses "rich results."
How to Use the Rich Results Test, Step by Step
Open the tool, choose URL or code, run the test, then read the results. It takes about a minute for one page.
- Open the test page.Go to search.google.com/test/rich-results.
- Choose URL or Code.Pick URL and enter the full address of a public page, or pick Code and paste your markup.
- Pick the crawler.Choose the Googlebot smartphone or desktop view. Smartphone is the default.
- Run the test.Click Test URL and wait for the crawl to finish.
- Open each detected item.Check every item for errors or warnings.
- Fix and re-test.Fix the page, then run the test again.
Important note
Google's help page says every page resource must be reachable without a password or firewall. A page on a staging site behind a login cannot be tested by URL.
Should You Test a Live URL or Paste a Code Snippet?
Use both, at different times.
| Question | Test by URL | Test by code snippet |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Published pages | Drafts and new markup |
| What it checks | The page Google can actually fetch and render | Only the code you paste |
| Needs a public page? | Yes | No |
| Saves your edits? | No | No |
| Catches plugin or theme problems? | Yes | No |
Test the snippet before you publish and the URL after. A mismatch often means a caching, plugin or theme problem.
What Do Errors, Warnings and Valid Items Mean?
Valid items meet Google's requirements. Warnings point to missing optional details, and the page can still qualify. Errors mean a required detail is missing or wrong, and the page cannot get that rich result until you fix it.
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Valid | All required properties are present | Nothing. Keep it accurate. |
| Valid with warnings | Optional properties are missing | Add them if the information is true |
| Invalid (error) | A required property is missing or malformed | Fix before expecting a rich result |
| Unnamed item | A nested item has no name | Add the missing name to the parent or child |
How Do You Fix the 4 Most Common Errors?
Most fixes are small:
1. Missing field
Add the required property, such as a name, price or image.
2. Wrong format
Dates and prices must follow the expected pattern.
3. Markup does not match the page
Do not mark up details that visitors cannot see. Google's guidelines say so directly.
4. Duplicate markup
Two plugins can output the same schema. Turn one off.
Never do this
Never invent a review count or rating to clear a warning. That is the fastest way to lose trust with Google.
Rich Results Test vs. Schema Markup Validator vs. Search Console
Use Google's tool to ask "is this eligible for Google's features?" Use the Schema Markup Validator to ask "is this valid schema?" Use Search Console to watch your whole site over time.
| Tool | Question it answers | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Rich Results Test | Is this page eligible for Google rich results? | One page or snippet, live |
| Schema Markup Validator | Is my Schema.org syntax correct? | Any schema type, no Google rules |
| Search Console rich results reports | Which pages have valid or broken items sitewide? | Whole site, from past crawls |
Google deprecated the old Structured Data Testing Tool in 2020, and the Schema Markup Validator took over its general-purpose job. Search Console's URL Inspection tool can request indexing. The Rich Results Test does not.
Which Structured Data Types Are Supported?
The tool tests the types Google can turn into rich results. Google's search gallery currently lists 25.
The useful types for a local business site
- Local business
- Organization
- Breadcrumb
- Article
- Product and Review snippet
- Event, Job posting and Video
- Recipe, for food and wellness brands
Some guides still quote 32 types, which is an older count. Use Google's gallery as the source of truth.
Skip FAQ and HowTo
Google's own documentation says the FAQ rich result stopped appearing in Search on May 7, 2026. FAQ was already limited to well-known government and health sites after September 2023. HowTo is not in the current gallery either. FAQ markup is still valid schema, and it does no harm. Just do not expect a rich result from it.
Why Does a Page Pass the Test but Show No Rich Results?
The test checks eligibility only. Google then chooses whether a rich result helps the searcher. Passing is necessary, not sufficient. Google's guide says the markup might make your page more engaging, not that it will.
5 common reasons
- Google has not recrawled the page. Changes take time to appear.
- Low site trust or thin content. New or low-quality sites often get plain listings.
- Search intent. For some queries, Google shows a plain result.
- The feature was retired. FAQ is the clearest example.
- Markup that breaks the guidelines. Hidden or misleading markup can disqualify a page.
Technical fixes only work on top of solid content. Our guide on how SEO helps in digital marketing explains why.
How Do You Test Structured Data on a WordPress Site?
Run the test on the live URL, not just inside your SEO plugin. Plugins such as Yoast, Rank Math and AIOSEO generate schema automatically, but only a URL test shows what Google can actually see.
A simple 5-step routine
- Test one page of each type: a service page, a blog post, a location page and the home page.
- Check that only one plugin outputs schema.
- Match the markup to what visitors see, such as your business name, address and phone number.
- Re-test after every theme or plugin update.
- Watch the rich results reports in Search Console.
If your service pages were built on a template, test each template. One broken template can break fifty pages at once. It is part of the technical work in our SEO services, and a clean build starts with solid web design.
When Should You Ask for Help?
Ask for help when the same error keeps returning, plugin settings do not match the results, or valid pages never earn rich results. The cause is rarely one line of code. It is usually a site-wide setup issue.
We diagnose before we execute: clarity and strategy, not guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rich Results Test used for?
It checks whether a page's structured data is valid and eligible for Google rich results. It lists errors and warnings and, for some result types, shows a preview. It does not rank your page or guarantee a rich result.
Is the Rich Results Test free?
Yes. Google offers it free at search.google.com/test/rich-results. You can test any public URL or paste a code snippet. You do not need a Search Console account to use it.
How is it different from the Schema Markup Validator?
Google's tool checks eligibility for Google's search features. The Schema Markup Validator checks that Schema.org syntax is correct for any type, without Google's feature rules. Use the first for search appearance and the second for general schema accuracy.
Do errors in the results hurt my rankings?
Google does not say errors lower rankings. Errors only stop that page from qualifying for the related rich result. They are still worth fixing, because they show the markup is broken or incomplete.
Why is my schema valid but no rich result appears?
Valid markup makes a page eligible, not entitled. Google also weighs trust, content quality, search intent and crawl timing. The feature itself may also be retired, as FAQ rich results have been since May 7, 2026.
Can I test a page that is not published?
Yes, with the code option. Paste your HTML or JSON-LD and run the test. A URL test only works for pages that Google can reach without a login or firewall.
The Bottom Line
The Rich Results Test is the quickest way to check whether your structured data is valid and eligible for Google's enhanced listings.
Test the code before you publish, test the URL after, fix errors first, and treat warnings as optional improvements. Then watch Search Console for sitewide issues. Remember that a pass is eligibility, never a promise. If you want help turning clean markup into real visibility, get your free growth plan or call (330) 353-2017.
About One80 Consultation
One80 Consultation is a veteran-friendly digital marketing and SEO agency in Lyndhurst, Ohio that helps local businesses across Ohio, Pittsburgh and nationwide get found online, win more leads and grow with one connected system.
Learn more about us or see our analytics and reporting services.
Sources: Google Search Central, Rich Results Test help; Google Search Central, intro to structured data; Google Search Central, FAQ structured data; Google Search Central, search gallery. General information only, not a guarantee of search results. Reviewed and last updated .
