PILLAR 4, AUTHORITY NETWORK · 4.1 Structured data validityHighVerified

Invalid JSON-LD syntax

Structured data only works if it parses. A JSON-LD block with a syntax error, a missing comma, an unclosed brace, is ignored wholesale, so the rich-result eligibility it was meant to provide is lost.

What it is

Malformed JSON-LD.

Why it matters

Broken markup can’t be parsed; no rich-result eligibility.

How to fix it

Fix JSON; validate with Rich Results Test.

How to find it on your site

  1. Run the page through the Rich Results Test and the Schema Markup Validator.
  2. Read the errors and locate the syntax fault in the JSON-LD.
  3. Fix the JSON and re-validate.
  4. Add validation to your build so broken markup never ships.

Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors

Invalid structured data is discarded entirely, removing any rich-result and entity benefit. Valid markup is the precondition for all of it.

Impact

Medium-high for rich results. Direct.

Evidence

Structured data must be valid to be used. Google Search Central, Structured data general guidelines; Google Search Central, Structured data markup that Google Search supports

← Inconsistent NAP across the siteUnparseable / bad escaping →