Aquarium Schema Markup – Marine Life & Educational Attraction SEO & Rich Results

Aquarium schema markup enhances marine life centers and educational attractions with rich snippets, exhibit information, operating hours, and improved visibility in educational and family entertainment searches. Perfect for aquariums, marine centers, and ocean-themed attractions.

Local SEOEducationalRich SnippetsMarine Life

What is Aquarium Schema?

Aquarium schema markup provides search engines with detailed information about marine life centers and educational attractions, including exhibit data, operating hours, educational programs, and conservation initiatives. This enables enhanced local business results and improved visibility in educational and family attraction searches.

Educational Impact: Aquarium schema can increase local search visibility by 25-40% and improve conversion rates by displaying exhibit information, ticket pricing, and educational programs directly in search results for marine life and educational queries.

Google Rich Results Eligibility

Eligible for Rich Results

Aquarium schema is eligible for Google Local Business rich results, including enhanced educational attraction listings with ratings, hours, and exhibit information.

Supported Rich Results:

  • • Enhanced local business listings
  • • Star ratings and review counts
  • • Operating hours display
  • • Exhibit and program information
  • • Contact information and directions
  • • Educational event details
  • • Business photos and descriptions

Educational Integration:

Aquarium schema works best when combined with Google My Business listings and educational event platforms. Structured data should match GMB information exactly to avoid conflicts.

Required vs Recommended Properties

FieldRequired by Schema.orgRequired by GoogleNotes
@contextNoNoRecommended for clarity
@typeNoNoRequired for Aquarium markup
nameNoYesRequired for local business listings
addressNoYesBlocks local rich results if missing
telephoneNoNoRequired for contact information
geoNoNoStrongly recommended for local search
openingHoursNoNoRequired for hours display in rich results
aggregateRatingNoNoRequired for star ratings display

Critical Fields for Local Rich Results:

  • name and address are mandatory for local business rich results
  • geo coordinates improve local search accuracy and maps integration
  • openingHours enables hours display in search results
  • aggregateRating shows star ratings directly in search snippets
  • knowsAbout provides information about marine life and educational focus

JSON-LD Implementation Examples

✅ Minimal Valid Example

Basic Aquarium Schema
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Aquarium",
  "name": "Your Aquarium Name",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
    "addressLocality": "City",
    "addressRegion": "State",
    "postalCode": "12345",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "telephone": "+1-555-123-4567"
}

⭐ Recommended SEO-Optimized Example

Complete Aquarium Schema with Educational Features
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Aquarium",
  "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#aquarium",
  "name": "Ocean Discovery Aquarium",
  "alternateName": "Ocean Discovery",
  "description": "Interactive marine life aquarium featuring thousands of species from oceans around the world. Educational exhibits, touch pools, and daily animal feedings make this a perfect family destination for learning about marine conservation.",
  "url": "https://example.com/aquarium",
  "telephone": "+1-555-OCEAN",
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "image": [
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/images/aquarium-exterior.jpg",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "caption": "Ocean Discovery Aquarium exterior"
    }
  ],
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#address",
    "streetAddress": "123 Ocean Drive",
    "addressLocality": "Springfield",
    "addressRegion": "IL",
    "postalCode": "62701",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": 39.7817,
    "longitude": -89.6501
  },
  "openingHoursSpecification": [
    {
      "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
      "dayOfWeek": [
        "Tuesday",
        "Wednesday",
        "Thursday",
        "Friday",
        "Saturday"
      ],
      "opens": "10:00",
      "closes": "18:00"
    },
    {
      "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
      "dayOfWeek": [
        "Sunday"
      ],
      "opens": "12:00",
      "closes": "17:00"
    }
  ],
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": 4.7,
    "reviewCount": 342,
    "bestRating": 5,
    "worstRating": 1
  },
  "review": [
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Sarah Johnson"
      },
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
        "ratingValue": 5,
        "bestRating": 5
      },
      "reviewBody": "Amazing aquarium with incredible marine life exhibits!"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Marine Life",
    "Ocean Conservation",
    "Educational Exhibits",
    "Sea Creatures"
  ],
  "slogan": "Dive into Discovery"
}

🧩 Advanced Example with Exhibits and Programs

Enterprise Aquarium Schema with Comprehensive Exhibits and Educational Programs
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Aquarium",
  "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#aquarium",
  "name": "Pacific Ocean Discovery Center",
  "alternateName": [
    "PODC",
    "Pacific Ocean Discovery"
  ],
  "description": "World-class marine science and conservation center featuring over 10,000 aquatic species in innovative exhibits. Interactive touch pools, 360-degree ocean theater, daily trainer talks, and extensive conservation programs make this a premier destination for marine education and entertainment.",
  "url": "https://example.com/aquarium",
  "telephone": "+1-555-OCEAN",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "priceRange": "$$",
  "image": [
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/images/great-barrier-reef.jpg",
      "width": 1200,
      "height": 800,
      "caption": "Great Barrier Reef exhibit"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/images/penguin-exhibit.jpg",
      "width": 1000,
      "height": 750,
      "caption": "Penguin habitat exhibit"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/images/touch-pool.jpg",
      "width": 900,
      "height": 600,
      "caption": "Interactive touch pool"
    }
  ],
  "logo": {
    "@type": "ImageObject",
    "url": "https://example.com/images/logo.svg",
    "width": 300,
    "height": 100
  },
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#address",
    "streetAddress": "123 Ocean Boulevard",
    "addressLocality": "Springfield",
    "addressRegion": "IL",
    "postalCode": "62701",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  },
  "geo": {
    "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
    "latitude": 39.7817,
    "longitude": -89.6501
  },
  "openingHoursSpecification": [
    {
      "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
      "dayOfWeek": [
        "Tuesday",
        "Wednesday",
        "Thursday",
        "Friday",
        "Saturday"
      ],
      "opens": "10:00",
      "closes": "18:00",
      "validFrom": "2024-01-01",
      "validThrough": "2024-12-31"
    },
    {
      "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
      "dayOfWeek": [
        "Sunday"
      ],
      "opens": "12:00",
      "closes": "17:00",
      "validFrom": "2024-01-01",
      "validThrough": "2024-12-31"
    }
  ],
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#aggregate-rating",
    "ratingValue": 4.8,
    "reviewCount": 892,
    "bestRating": 5,
    "worstRating": 1,
    "ratingExplanation": "Based on 892 verified visitor reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, and our website"
  },
  "review": [
    {
      "@type": "Review",
      "@id": "https://example.com/reviews/family-experience/",
      "author": {
        "@type": "Person",
        "name": "Dr. Maria Rodriguez",
        "jobTitle": "Marine Biologist",
        "worksFor": {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "Coastal University"
        }
      },
      "reviewRating": {
        "@type": "Rating",
        "ratingValue": 5,
        "bestRating": 5
      },
      "reviewBody": "Exceptional marine life center! The exhibits are scientifically accurate and beautifully designed. The conservation message is woven throughout without being preachy. The interactive touch pools are a highlight for families, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. A model for how aquariums should educate and inspire.",
      "datePublished": "2024-01-15",
      "publisher": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Google Reviews"
      }
    }
  ],
  "event": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationEvent",
      "@id": "https://example.com/events/shark-feeding/",
      "name": "Daily Shark Feeding Presentation",
      "description": "Educational presentation about shark behavior and conservation, followed by live feeding demonstration in the main tank.",
      "startDate": "2024-01-15",
      "endDate": "2024-01-15",
      "location": {
        "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#aquarium"
      },
      "performer": [
        {
          "@type": "Person",
          "name": "Dr. James Wilson",
          "jobTitle": "Senior Marine Biologist"
        }
      ],
      "offers": {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "@id": "https://example.com/tickets/general-admission/",
        "name": "General Admission",
        "price": "29.95",
        "priceCurrency": "USD",
        "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
      },
      "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode",
      "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled"
    }
  ],
  "hasOfferCatalog": {
    "@type": "OfferCatalog",
    "@id": "https://example.com/aquarium/#exhibits",
    "name": "Aquarium Exhibits and Programs",
    "description": "Complete guide to exhibits, shows, and educational programs",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "@id": "https://example.com/exhibits/great-barrier-reef/",
        "itemOffered": {
          "@type": "TouristAttraction",
          "@id": "https://example.com/exhibits/great-barrier-reef-exhibit/",
          "name": "Great Barrier Reef Exhibit",
          "description": "Immersive underwater tunnel featuring coral reef ecosystems, colorful fish, and interactive touch screens about ocean conservation.",
          "image": "https://example.com/images/great-barrier-reef-exhibit.jpg",
          "additionalProperty": {
            "@type": "PropertyValue",
            "name": "Duration",
            "value": "15-20 minutes"
          }
        },
        "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
      },
      {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "@id": "https://example.com/exhibits/penguin-habitat/",
        "itemOffered": {
          "@type": "TouristAttraction",
          "name": "Penguin Habitat",
          "description": "Climate-controlled habitat featuring African penguins with underwater viewing and daily training sessions.",
          "additionalProperty": {
            "@type": "PropertyValue",
            "name": "Feeding Time",
            "value": "11:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily"
          }
        },
        "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
      }
    ]
  },
  "makesOffer": [
    {
      "@type": "Offer",
      "@id": "https://example.com/tickets/adult-admission/",
      "itemOffered": {
        "@type": "Service",
        "name": "Adult Admission Ticket",
        "description": "General admission ticket for adults 18 and older, includes all exhibits and daily presentations"
      },
      "price": "29.95",
      "priceCurrency": "USD",
      "priceValidUntil": "2024-12-31",
      "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Offer",
      "@id": "https://example.com/programs/summer-camp/",
      "itemOffered": {
        "@type": "Service",
        "name": "Marine Biology Summer Camp",
        "description": "Week-long educational program for children ages 8-12 featuring hands-on marine science activities and aquarium tours"
      },
      "priceRange": "$395 - $425",
      "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
    }
  ],
  "starRating": {
    "@type": "Rating",
    "ratingValue": 4.6,
    "bestRating": 5,
    "author": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Association of Zoos and Aquariums"
    }
  },
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Marine Biology",
    "Ocean Conservation",
    "Aquatic Ecosystems",
    "Sea Life Education",
    "Marine Mammals",
    "Coral Reefs",
    "Oceanography",
    "Environmental Science"
  ],
  "slogan": "Exploring the Mysteries of the Deep",
  "foundingDate": "1998-06-15",
  "numberOfEmployees": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 67
  },
  "hasCredential": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
      "name": "AZA Accredited Institution",
      "credentialCategory": "accreditation",
      "recognizedBy": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Association of Zoos and Aquariums"
      }
    }
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://facebook.com/pacificocean",
    "https://instagram.com/pacific_ocean_discovery",
    "https://twitter.com/PacificOceanDC",
    "https://youtube.com/pacificocean"
  ],
  "areaServed": [
    {
      "@type": "State",
      "name": "Illinois",
      "addressCountry": "US"
    },
    {
      "@type": "State",
      "name": "Missouri",
      "addressCountry": "US"
    },
    {
      "@type": "State",
      "name": "Indiana",
      "addressCountry": "US"
    }
  ],
  "containedInPlace": {
    "@type": "City",
    "name": "Springfield",
    "addressRegion": "IL",
    "addressCountry": "US"
  }
}

Supported Nested Objects

Address Object

Complete business address for local search

"address": {
  "@type": "PostalAddress",
  "streetAddress": "123 Ocean Blvd",
  "addressLocality": "City",
  "addressRegion": "State",
  "postalCode": "12345"
}

GeoCoordinates Object

Precise location for maps integration

"geo": {
  "@type": "GeoCoordinates",
  "latitude": 39.7817,
  "longitude": -89.6501
}

OpeningHoursSpecification

Detailed operating hours for aquariums

"openingHoursSpecification": [{
  "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
  "dayOfWeek": ["Tuesday"],
  "opens": "10:00",
  "closes": "18:00"
}]

Event Objects

Educational events and presentations

"event": [{
  "@type": "EducationEvent",
  "name": "Shark Feeding",
  "startDate": "2024-01-15"
}]

AggregateRating Object

Visitor review and rating data

"aggregateRating": {
  "@type": "AggregateRating",
  "ratingValue": 4.7,
  "reviewCount": 342
}

Offer Objects

Tickets, programs, and memberships

"makesOffer": [{
  "@type": "Offer",
  "itemOffered": {"@type": "Service"...},
  "price": "29.95"
}]

Common Validation Errors & Fixes

Invalid Address Structure

Error: "Address must be a PostalAddress object or valid text format"

Why it happens: Address field requires proper PostalAddress object structure for local rich results.

How to fix: Convert plain text address to complete PostalAddress object with all required components.

// Fix: Use proper PostalAddress object
"address": {
  "@type": "PostalAddress",
  "streetAddress": "123 Ocean Boulevard",
  "addressLocality": "Springfield",
  "addressRegion": "IL",
  "postalCode": "62701",
  "addressCountry": "US"
}

Missing Educational Information

Error: "knowsAbout property required for educational attractions"

Why it happens: Google requires information about educational focus for aquarium categorization.

How to fix: Add knowsAbout array with relevant educational and marine life topics.

// Fix: Add educational specializations
"knowsAbout": [
  "Marine Biology",
  "Ocean Conservation",
  "Aquatic Ecosystems"
]

Invalid Opening Hours Format

Warning: "Opening hours should use 24-hour format (HH:MM)"

Why it happens: Operating hours must follow specific format for proper display.

How to fix: Use 24-hour format and proper dayOfWeek specification for aquarium hours.

// Fix: Use proper opening hours format
"openingHoursSpecification": [{
  "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
  "dayOfWeek": ["Tuesday", "Saturday"],
  "opens": "10:00",
  "closes": "18:00"
}]

Incomplete Event Data

Warning: "Event objects missing required date information"

Why it happens: Educational events need complete date information for proper display.

How to fix: Add startDate and endDate to all educational events.

// Fix: Add complete event dates
"event": [{
  "@type": "EducationEvent",
  "name": "Shark Presentation",
  "startDate": "2024-01-15",
  "endDate": "2024-01-15"
}]

How to Fix Warnings (SEO Impact)

Understanding Aquarium Schema Warnings

Warnings indicate missing optional fields that significantly impact local educational attraction SEO performance and rich results eligibility. Unlike errors, warnings don't break validation but reduce the effectiveness of your structured data.

Warnings That Affect Rankings

  • Missing educational info: Reduces marine life and educational search visibility
  • Incomplete address: Affects local search accuracy
  • Missing geo coordinates: Impacts maps integration
  • No event information: Limits educational program searches
  • Missing images: Reduces visual appeal

Warnings That Block Rich Results

  • Missing aggregateRating: Prevents star display
  • Invalid opening hours: No hours shown in results
  • Missing telephone: Incomplete contact info
  • No educational focus: Blocks aquarium categorization
  • Incomplete address: Blocks local rich results

Best Practices for Aquarium Schema

  • • Always include complete address information matching your Google My Business listing
  • • Add precise geo coordinates for accurate local search results
  • • Include detailed opening hours for all days of operation
  • • Add aggregateRating data from verified review sources
  • • Include comprehensive knowsAbout field with marine life and educational specializations
  • • Add current educational events as Event objects with dates and descriptions
  • • Include exhibit information through hasOfferCatalog with attraction details
  • • Add high-quality images of marine life exhibits and educational programs
  • • Include conservation and educational programs as Service offerings
  • • Keep data synchronized with Google My Business information

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aquarium schema required for marine centers?

Aquarium schema is not strictly required for marine centers, but it's highly recommended for aquariums and marine life centers wanting to appear in local educational search results. It provides Google with structured data that can enhance visibility in marine life and educational queries.

How does Aquarium schema affect Google My Business?

Aquarium schema complements Google My Business listings by providing additional structured data about your exhibits and educational programs. The information should match exactly between your schema markup and GMB profile to avoid conflicts and maximize rich results eligibility.

Can I include exhibit information in Aquarium schema?

Yes, Aquarium schema supports detailed exhibit information through the hasOfferCatalog property. You can include exhibit names, descriptions, marine species, conservation information, and visitor experience details for enhanced educational search results.

Does Google support Aquarium schema for all marine centers?

Google supports Aquarium schema for all types of marine life centers including public aquariums, research facilities, marine science centers, and educational marine exhibits. The schema works well for both entertainment-focused and research-oriented facilities.

How do I validate Aquarium schema markup?

Use Google's Rich Results Test or Schema Markup Validator. Check for proper address formatting, valid opening hours, complete educational information, and ensure all exhibit data follows the correct structure. Test with different marine species and educational programs.

What happens if Aquarium schema fields are missing?

Missing critical fields like address or educational information prevent rich results eligibility. Missing optional fields reduce SEO benefits but don't break validation. Always prioritize complete, accurate local educational attraction information.

Can Aquarium schema help with educational searches?

Yes, Aquarium schema can enhance visibility in educational and marine science searches when combined with exhibit information and educational programs. Include conservation themes and learning objectives for better educational query targeting.

How often should I update Aquarium schema?

Update Aquarium schema whenever exhibits change, educational programs are added, or business information changes. Keep it synchronized with your Google My Business listing and current exhibit schedules for optimal local educational SEO performance.

Can I use Aquarium schema for touch pools and interactive exhibits?

Yes, Aquarium schema supports interactive and educational exhibits. Include information about touch pools, interactive displays, and hands-on learning experiences in your exhibit descriptions and hasOfferCatalog data.

How does Aquarium schema affect Core Web Vitals?

Aquarium schema itself doesn't directly affect Core Web Vitals, but rich local results from proper schema implementation can improve user engagement metrics that influence search rankings and Core Web Vitals scoring.

Official Documentation

Related Schema Documentation

See also: LocalBusiness schema, Organization schema, Event schema, TouristAttraction schema, PostalAddress schema, GeoCoordinates schema, AggregateRating schema

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aquarium schema used for?

Aquarium schema provides structured data for aquarium content and information. It helps search engines understand content details and enables rich results in search listings.

What are the key properties for Aquarium schema?

Essential properties vary by schema type but commonly include name, description, url, and image. For rich results, specific properties like author, datePublished, or offers may be required.

How does Aquarium schema affect SEO?

Aquarium schema enables rich results in Google Search, increases click-through rates with enhanced listings, improves content visibility, and provides structured data that helps search engines better understand and display your content.

When should I use Aquarium schema?

Use Aquarium schema when your content matches the schema type definition. It provides semantic meaning to your data and enables enhanced search features.

What are the benefits of Aquarium structured data?

Benefits include enhanced search appearances, improved click-through rates, better content understanding by search engines, and eligibility for rich result features like carousels, panels, or enhanced listings.