A recent post on Google’s developer pages sparked confusion across the SEO community, leading some to believe that Google was planning to scale back the use of structured data in 2026. However, this interpretation turned out to be misleading — structured data remains an essential part of SEO and website optimization moving forward.
The misunderstanding began when a Redditor highlighted an announcement from Google’s Search Central Blog that mentioned the removal of support for certain structured data types starting in January 2026. This prompted concerns about whether schema markup was still worth implementing.
The Reddit post read:
“Google just posted a new update — they’re removing support for some structured data types starting in January 2026. Dataset already works only in Dataset Search, and rich results are getting more selective. So… is schema still worth it? Or are we moving past it entirely?”
While this raised eyebrows among SEO professionals, the reality is far less alarming. Google’s announcement, authored by John Mueller, clarified that the change only affects lesser-used structured data types and is part of Google’s ongoing effort to simplify the search results page and improve user experience.
In Google’s own words:
“We’re constantly working to simplify the search results page, so that it’s quick and easy to find the information and websites you’re looking for… We’ve identified some features that aren’t being used very often and aren’t adding significant value to users. So we’re beginning to phase these lesser-used features out.”
The statement concluded:
“Starting in January 2026, we’ll remove support for the structured data types in Search Console and its API.”
Structured Data Still Matters
Google’s search ecosystem has always been in motion — structured data types come and go, but the foundation remains strong. In response to the Reddit discussion, John Mueller reaffirmed this by stating:
“Understand that markup types come and go, but a precious few you should hold on to (like title, and meta robots).”
This reinforces that structured data is not going away — it’s simply evolving. Rich results, knowledge panels, and product snippets still rely heavily on schema markup to help Google understand page content.
Keeping Structured Data Updated Is Easier Than Ever
For most website owners, keeping up with Schema.org changes is simple. Modern CMS platforms like WordPress automatically manage structured data through plugins or built-in features that stay aligned with Google’s latest updates. As long as publishers keep their themes and plugins updated, they’ll remain compliant and competitive in search.
Structured data remains one of the best ways to enhance visibility, increase click-through rates, and communicate context to search engines — and that’s not changing in 2026.
At Earn SEO, our expert SEO consultants in NYC specialize in optimizing websites with the latest structured data and technical SEO strategies that align with Google’s evolving standards. We help businesses enhance visibility, strengthen online credibility, and stay future-ready for every algorithm change. Contact our team today to ensure your site’s schema and SEO foundation are built for long-term success.
Earn SEO was established in 2011 by Devendra Mishra, a highly educated professional with varied training and experience. Mr. Mishra is responsible for business development, attracting new Earn SEO partners, and interacting with clients, the media and press, and acting as Brand Ambassador.
Devendra Mishra
Founder
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