Adding schema markup to a WordPress website is only part of the job. You should also test the structured data to make sure CrawlWP is generating the information you expect.
This guide shows you how to test CrawlWP schema markup with Google’s Rich Results Test and the Schema Markup Validator, understand the results, and troubleshoot common problems.
Google’s Rich Results Test focuses on structured data that can be used for supported rich results, while the Schema Markup Validator lets you inspect the broader Schema.org markup on a page.
Test a live page with Google’s Rich Results Test
The easiest way to test CrawlWP’s generated schema is to use the URL of a published page on your WordPress website.
- Open the page or post you want to check on your live website.
- Copy the complete URL from your browser.
- Open Google’s Rich Results Test at https://search.google.com/test/rich-results.
- Paste the URL into the test field and click Test URL.
- Wait for Google to fetch and analyze the page.
When the test is complete, Google shows the structured data it recognizes as eligible for rich results. Depending on the page, this can include items such as Article, Breadcrumbs, or Local business. Select an item to see the properties Google found and any issues that need attention.
The URL test only works when Google’s testing service can access the page. A local development website, password-protected staging site, maintenance page, or a website blocking Google may not be testable by URL. In those cases, switch to the Code option and paste the page’s HTML or structured data instead.
Use the Schema Markup Validator for a complete check
Google’s Rich Results Test does not display every type of Schema.org markup on a page. To inspect the complete structured data graph generated by CrawlWP, use the Schema Markup Validator.
- Open https://validator.schema.org.
- Enter the URL of the page you want to inspect.
- Click Run test.
The validator can show schema items that may not appear in Google’s Rich Results Test, such as WebSite, Organization, Person, and WebPage. It is therefore useful when you want to confirm that CrawlWP’s full JSON-LD graph is being generated correctly.
What CrawlWP schema should you see?
The exact structured data on a page depends on the type of page, your CrawlWP settings, and the schema type you have selected.
| Page | Schema items you may see |
|---|---|
| Most pages | WebSite and Organization or Person |
| Any page with LocalBusiness enabled | LocalBusiness |
| Posts configured as articles | Article or another selected article type, WebPage, and BreadcrumbList |
| Standard pages | WebPage or the selected page type, plus BreadcrumbList |
| Homepage displaying your latest posts | CollectionPage |
| Category, tag, date, and post type archives | CollectionPage and BreadcrumbList |
| Author archive pages | ProfilePage and BreadcrumbList |
The schema can vary when you use noindex settings, change the page or article type, disable breadcrumbs, or add custom JSON-LD. For a detailed explanation, see How CrawlWP generates schema markup.
How to read the test results
Do not assume that every message shown by a schema testing tool means something is broken. Look at what the tool is actually reporting.
- Valid results: The markup passes the checks performed by the tool and may be eligible for the relevant rich result. Passing validation does not guarantee that Google will display a rich result.
- Warnings or recommendations: These usually relate to optional information. They do not necessarily prevent the structured data from being used. Add additional properties when they are relevant, and CrawlWP provides a way to supply them.
- Errors: These indicate a problem to investigate. Depending on the schema type, an error can make the markup ineligible for a particular rich result.
The most important thing is that the structured data accurately represents the visible content on the WordPress page. Do not add properties simply to make a testing tool report more information.
Check CrawlWP settings when something is missing
| Problem | What to check in CrawlWP |
|---|---|
| Organization logo is missing | Choose a Logo under Site Information. |
| Wrong organization or person name | Review the Name field under Site Information. |
| A post has no Article schema | Check the post’s Schema tab and the schema defaults for its post type. Make sure Article type is not None. |
| Article image is missing | Check that the post has an appropriate featured or social image. |
| Breadcrumbs are missing | Make sure Include BreadcrumbList schema is enabled under Breadcrumbs. The homepage does not use breadcrumbs. |
| Duplicate Organization or Article markup | Check whether another plugin or the theme is generating its own structured data. |
| No WebPage or Article item | Check the page’s noindex status and make sure its Page type is not None. |
| No structured data is detected | Make sure CrawlWP’s on-page SEO features are enabled and clear any page or server cache. |
After changing a CrawlWP setting, clear any relevant cache before testing the page again. Otherwise, the testing tool may still receive an older version of the page.
Test schema after changing CrawlWP settings
It is a good idea to test your structured data whenever you make a significant schema change. For example, run another test after changing your organization details, switching the page type, enabling LocalBusiness schema, changing article settings, or adding custom JSON-LD.
- Save the CrawlWP settings.
- Clear your WordPress, hosting, CDN, or page cache.
- Open the live page and confirm that the visible information is correct.
- Run the URL through the Rich Results Test again.
- Use the Schema Markup Validator when you need to inspect the complete Schema.org graph.
Testing your schema is different from checking indexing
A successful schema test does not mean Google has indexed the page. It only tells you that the structured data can be parsed and, where applicable, may make the page eligible for a rich result.
To check whether Google has indexed a URL, use Google’s URL Inspection tool in Search Console. You can also use it to see how Google accessed the page and whether indexing or crawling issues are preventing the page from appearing in search results.
Why a valid schema may not produce a rich result
Structured data can make a page eligible for certain search features, but it does not guarantee that those features will appear in Google Search. Google decides when and where to show enhanced search results.
- The page may not satisfy all the requirements for the particular rich result.
- The structured data may not accurately match the visible page content.
- The page may not be indexed or may not be accessible to Google.
- Google may choose not to display the available rich result for a particular search.
Troubleshooting schema testing
The test says the page cannot be reached. Make sure the page is publicly accessible. Check for password protection, maintenance mode, firewall rules, login requirements, robots.txt restrictions, or other settings that could prevent Google’s testing service from fetching the page.
The test displays old structured data. Clear your WordPress cache, hosting cache, CDN cache, and browser cache where necessary. Then open the live page again and rerun the test.
The Rich Results Test does not show any schema items. Remember, the tool only reports structured data it can use for supported rich results. Use the Schema Markup Validator to inspect all Schema.org items on the page.
CrawlWP schema is missing from the page source. Go to CrawlWP > Settings and make sure the on-page SEO features are enabled. Then clear your cache and inspect the live page source again.
A post does not contain WebPage or Article schema. Check whether the post is marked noindex and review its Page type and Article type settings. An article type of None means CrawlWP will not output an Article item.
Duplicate structured data appears on the page. Another SEO plugin, schema plugin, or your WordPress theme may also be adding JSON-LD. Inspect the page source to identify the duplicate markup and disable the other source where appropriate.
The custom JSON-LD does not appear. Check the JSON for syntax errors such as missing quotation marks, unmatched braces, or trailing commas. CrawlWP only saves valid JSON-LD, so correct the code and save it again.
A simple schema testing workflow
For most WordPress sites, the following workflow is enough: make your changes in CrawlWP, clear your cache, test the live URL with Google’s Rich Results Test, and then use the Schema Markup Validator when you need to inspect the complete structured data.
Finally, use Google Search Console to check crawling and indexing rather than relying on the schema test alone.
Testing your schema regularly helps you catch configuration mistakes early and ensures the structured data CrawlWP generates continues to describe your website and its content accurately.