Google has recently shared examples of what COVID-19 special announcement structural data will look when it is utilized in search results. A new set of structured data markup for a special announcement related to COVID-19 was launched in March.
Google made an official announcement last week that it will support the new structured data. However, it didn’t say when it will be utilized in search results. At that point of time, it was not clear what the markup would exactly look like when Google utilizes it to provide search snippets. Now, Google has revealed what it will look like.
Special Announcements Related To COVID-19 In Search Results
When new special announcement structured data is added to a page, the content is appropriate to appear with a special announcement rich result related to COVID-19. Google will provide the COVID-19 special announcement as an addition to the page’s regular snippet description.
As shown in the example given above, a COVID-19 announcement rich result contains a summary that can be expanded to view more. But, Google notes that the format can change over time.
Searchers might not view the changes immediately as the results are fit to appear only for specific sites.
Only Specific Sites Have Eligibility For COVID-19 Rich Results
As of now, COVID-19 special announcement rich results will only visible health and government agency sites. The rich results cover important updates like school closures, event cancellations, changes in business hours, cancellation of events, etc. Though the rich results are now being launched, Google has stated that it is ‘’actively developing’ ’this feature.
Implementation of COVID-19 Special Announcements
Website owners can apply the COVID-19 special announcement markup in two ways:
- Structured data on web page
- Submission of announcements in Search Console
More details about these two methods are mentioned below-
Structured Data
Google’s recommended way for applying COVID-19 special announcement markup is by including structured data to individual web pages.
“We recommend using this method because it is the easiest way for us to take in this information, it enables reporting through Search Console in the future, and enables you to make updates.”
Submission of Announcements in Search Console
Google offers another method for implementing special announcement markup for those who lack the technical knowledge to use structured data. A new tool in Search Console, which is now being beta tested enables website owners to submit a special announcement by filling a form. It looks like this when navigating this tool-
After choosing the type of announcement, Search Console asks for some details(which is same for all types of announcements)
- Data on announcement start
- Data on the announcement end date
- Title
- Description
- Region or specific location for the announcement
Search Console also provides an option for linking out to resources related to disease prevention, getting tests done, latest news updates, and other details. Google has specified that this method of submitting special announcements isn’t preferred and is a short-term solution. Announcements submitted in this manner will be displayed for 30 days at the most.
Site owners will need to manually update the announcements if they are still applicable after 30 days. Lastly, any data related to announcements submitted in this way won’t be tracked in rich results in Search Console. Therefore, it is a short-term solution with no ability to track data. But if you need to acquire vital announcements in search results quickly, it can help you do that.
