Google has recently made some changes in the ClaimReview Structured data. They did this to restrict the number of fact checks on a page. This change is pretty massive and can make lots of pages ineligible for fact-check rich results.
The structured data from ClaimReview in Schema.org has been used in sites that fact checks any claims made on another web page or video. This page is used by those who conduct fact-checking reviews of claims that have been made.
Fast Check Rich Results
Here is the official Schema.org specification of ClaimReview structured data
“ A fact-checking review of claims made (or reported) in some creative work (referenced via itemReviewed).”
Using the ClaimReview structured data, you can make your web page eligible to show it as a rich result. In fact, your page showing up as a rich result will also act as a good review for your page.
What Are the Changes in ClaimReview Structured data?
We saw that some changes were made in the Technical Guidelines for ClaimReview structured data.
Previously, publishers could have multiple fact checks on a single page, and Google allowed it. That means your page could contain multiple fact checks on different topics.
The following guidance was previously stated. But now, it is removed from Google’s Fact Check Structured Data Developer page.
“A single page can host multiple ClaimReview elements, each for a separate claim.”
Guidelines for Fast Check Rich Results
However, from now on, Google has asked the pages to contain a single fact check on a web page. If you add more than one component of ClaimReview per page, it won’t be eligible for the single fact check rich results. Here is the latest guidance after the update.
“To be eligible for the single fact check rich results, a page must only have one ClaimReview element. If you add multiple ClaimReview elements per page, the page won’t be eligible for the single fact check rich result.”
This update will drastically affect all web pages that have multiple fact checks. Also, it might affect the associated structured data of a single page.
Google will allow a web page to host several fact checks about the same topic only if they are from different reviewers. That is the only exception to this rule.
This rule was present in the older version of Google’s guidance. They made no changes to this rule.
Guidelines for Fast Check Rich Results
“If different reviewers on the page check the same fact, you can include a separate ClaimReview element for each reviewer’s analysis.”
What Will Happen If You Don’t Follow These Guidelines?
If you want an enhanced listing in Google’s search results, you need your web page to be eligible for Fast Check Rich Results. This is extremely important if you want to stand out in the search results and gain more traffic to get an advantage over your competitors.
Unless multiple reviewers fact checks a single topic, one page must have a single ClaimReview structured data element. Failure to do so will lead to becoming ineligible for a rich result.
