Book Schema – Complete Guide for Books & Rich Results
Book schema markup is essential for bookstores, libraries, publishers, and book-related websites. It enables rich book displays in Google Search results, including cover images, ratings, pricing, and availability information.
What is Book Schema?
Book schema describes books, ebooks, audiobooks, and other published works. It tells search engines that your content is about a book, enabling enhanced search result displays with book covers, author information, ratings, and purchase options.
Why Book Schema Matters
Book schema is crucial for the publishing industry because it unlocks specialized book displays in Google Search, enables integration with Google Books, and helps readers discover books through enhanced search results.
The key insight: Book schema transforms book information from plain text into structured, searchable book data that readers and search engines can properly understand and display.
What Book Schema Includes
SEO Benefits You Get
Book Schema Implementation
Complete Book Schema Example
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Book",
"@id": "https://example.com/books/the-great-gatsby/#book",
"name": "The Great Gatsby",
"isbn": "978-0-7432-7356-5",
"bookFormat": "https://schema.org/EBook",
"datePublished": "1925-04-10",
"numberOfPages": 180,
"inLanguage": "en-US",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "F. Scott Fitzgerald",
"birthDate": "1896-09-24",
"deathDate": "1940-12-21",
"nationality": "American"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Charles Scribner's Sons",
"foundingDate": "1846"
},
"genre": ["Fiction", "Classic Literature", "Jazz Age"],
"bookEdition": "Modern Library Classics",
"description": "The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel by American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald...",
"image": [
"https://example.com/images/great-gatsby-cover.jpg",
"https://example.com/images/great-gatsby-back.jpg"
],
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "3.9",
"ratingCount": "458392",
"bestRating": "5"
},
"offers": [
{
"@type": "Offer",
"price": "12.99",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "BookStore.com"
},
"url": "https://example.com/books/the-great-gatsby/buy"
}
]
}
</script>Audiobook Example
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Book",
"name": "The Psychology of Money",
"isbn": "978-0857197689",
"bookFormat": "https://schema.org/AudiobookFormat",
"datePublished": "2020-09-08",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Morgan Housel"
},
"readBy": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Chris Hill",
"jobTitle": "Narrator"
},
"duration": "PT8H30M",
"inLanguage": "en-US",
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": "19.99",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Audible"
}
}
}
</script>Required vs Recommended Properties
Required Properties
- •
name- Book title - •
author- Book author(s)
Recommended Properties
- •
isbn- ISBN identifier - •
datePublished- Publication date - •
publisher- Publishing company - •
bookFormat- Print, ebook, audiobook
Book Schema Best Practices
Content & Accuracy
Advanced Features
Common Book Schema Mistakes
❌ Incorrect ISBN Format
Mistake: Using invalid ISBN numbers or confusing ISBN-10 with ISBN-13 formats.
Fix: Verify ISBN numbers are correct and use the appropriate format (ISBN-13 preferred). Use online ISBN validators to check validity.
❌ Missing Publisher Information
Mistake: Omitting publisher details or using incomplete organization information.
Fix: Include complete publisher Organization schema with proper name, founding date, and external references when available.
❌ Incorrect Book Formats
Mistake: Using non-standard book format values or confusing physical/digital formats.
Fix: Use proper Schema.org book format URLs (https://schema.org/EBook, https://schema.org/AudiobookFormat, etc.).
❌ Incomplete Author Information
Mistake: Using only author names without proper Person schema markup.
Fix: Include complete author Person schema with birth/death dates, nationality, and external profile links when available.
Validate Your Book Schema
Testing Tools & Resources
Official Google Tools
Book-Specific Testing
- • Test Google Books integration
- • Verify book covers display
- • Check pricing and availability
- • Validate author attribution
FAQs / Long-Tail Queries
What is Book schema used for?
Book schema describes books, ebooks, audiobooks, and other published works. It helps search engines display rich book information including author, publisher, ISBN, and availability in search results.
How do I add Book schema to my book pages?
Add JSON-LD structured data with required properties like name, author, and isbn. Include optional properties like publisher, bookFormat, and offers for enhanced book listings.
What are the required properties for Book schema?
The only truly required property is name (book title). However, for rich results eligibility, you'll need author and either isbn, sameAs (linking to authoritative sources), or offers.
How do I add multiple authors to Book schema?
Use the author property as an array for multiple authors. Each author should be a Person object with name and optionally additional properties like jobTitle or sameAs for their profiles.
Can Book schema include series information?
Yes, use the isPartOf property to link books to a series with Series schema. Include series name, position in series, and total books in the series.
How do I add book format information?
Use bookFormat with values like "EBook", "Paperback", "Hardcover", or "Audiobook". You can have multiple formats for the same book with different offers.
Does Book schema help with Google Books integration?
Book schema provides structured data that helps Google understand book information. While it doesn't directly integrate with Google Books, it improves book visibility in search results and may enhance Google Books listings.
Can I use Book schema for self-published books?
Yes! Book schema works for all types of books including self-published works. Include your publishing company as the publisher, or use "Self-published" if that's more appropriate.
How do I add book ratings and reviews?
Use aggregateRating with ratingValue, ratingCount, and bestRating. For individual reviews, include the review array with Review objects containing author and reviewRating.
What's the difference between Book and Article schemas?
Book schema is for complete published books, while Article schema is for shorter pieces like blog posts or news articles. Use Book for novels, textbooks, and other book-length works.
Can Book schema include table of contents?
Yes, use the tableOfContents property for chapter listings or main sections. This is especially useful for textbooks, reference books, and educational materials.
How do I handle different book editions?
Use separate Book schemas for different editions with unique ISBNs. Link them using sameAs or isPartOf properties to show the relationship between editions.
Does Book schema improve book search rankings?
Book schema enhances search result appearance with rich book information, potentially improving click-through rates. Better visibility in book searches can indirectly improve rankings.
How often should I update Book schema?
Update when availability changes, new reviews are added, or pricing updates. Keep ratings and stock information current to maintain accurate search results.
Additional JSON-LD Examples
Fiction Book Example
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Book",
"@id": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden/#book",
"name": "The Midnight Garden",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Elena Vasquez",
"sameAs": "https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12345.elena_vasquez"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"@id": "https://example.com/#organization",
"name": "Literary Press Publishing",
"logo": "https://example.com/logo.svg"
},
"datePublished": "2023-09-15",
"isbn": "978-1-23456-789-0",
"bookFormat": "https://schema.org/Hardcover",
"numberOfPages": 384,
"genre": ["Fiction", "Mystery", "Thriller"],
"inLanguage": "en-US",
"description": "A gripping mystery novel about a secret garden that holds the key to a decades-old disappearance. When landscape architect Maria discovers an overgrown Victorian garden, she uncovers clues to a long-forgotten crime that threatens to upend her quiet suburban life.",
"image": [
"https://example.com/books/midnight-garden-cover.jpg",
"https://example.com/books/midnight-garden-back.jpg"
],
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "4.2",
"ratingCount": "1247",
"bestRating": "5",
"worstRating": "1",
"reviewCount": "423"
},
"review": [
{
"@type": "Review",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Book Reviewer Pro"
},
"reviewRating": {
"@type": "Rating",
"ratingValue": "4",
"bestRating": "5"
},
"reviewBody": "A beautifully crafted mystery with unexpected twists. Vasquez's writing is atmospheric and engaging.",
"datePublished": "2023-10-02"
}
],
"offers": [
{
"@type": "Offer",
"@id": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden/hardcover/#offer",
"price": "28.99",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "BookStore Online"
},
"url": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden/buy"
},
{
"@type": "Offer",
"@id": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden/ebook/#offer",
"price": "12.99",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Digital Books Inc"
},
"url": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden/ebook"
}
],
"sameAs": [
"https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123456-the-midnight-garden",
"https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Elena-Vasquez/dp/1234567890",
"https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-midnight-garden-elena-vasquez/1234567890"
],
"about": [
{
"@type": "DefinedTerm",
"name": "Mystery Fiction",
"description": "Fiction genre focused on solving crimes or puzzles"
},
{
"@type": "Place",
"name": "Portland, Oregon",
"description": "Setting of the novel"
}
],
"mainEntityOfPage": {
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://example.com/books/midnight-garden"
}
}
</script>Educational Textbook Example
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Book",
"@id": "https://example.com/textbooks/introductory-statistics/#book",
"name": "Introductory Statistics: A Modern Approach",
"author": [
{
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Dr. Robert Chen",
"jobTitle": "Professor of Statistics",
"worksFor": {
"@type": "EducationalOrganization",
"name": "University of Data Science"
}
},
{
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Dr. Maria Gonzalez",
"jobTitle": "Associate Professor",
"worksFor": {
"@type": "EducationalOrganization",
"name": "Tech University"
}
}
],
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Academic Press",
"foundingDate": "1985"
},
"datePublished": "2023-01-15",
"isbn": "978-0-12345-678-9",
"bookEdition": "3rd Edition",
"bookFormat": "https://schema.org/Hardcover",
"numberOfPages": 624,
"genre": "Textbook",
"educationalUse": "undergraduate",
"inLanguage": "en-US",
"description": "Comprehensive introduction to statistical concepts and methods for undergraduate students. Covers descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and data visualization with real-world examples and practical applications.",
"image": "https://example.com/textbooks/statistics-cover.jpg",
"educationalLevel": "Bachelor's Degree",
"teaches": [
"Descriptive Statistics",
"Probability Theory",
"Hypothesis Testing",
"Linear Regression",
"Data Analysis",
"Statistical Software"
],
"educationalCredentialAwarded": "Statistics Course Credit",
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "4.1",
"ratingCount": "892",
"bestRating": "5",
"worstRating": "1"
},
"tableOfContents": [
"Chapter 1: Introduction to Statistics",
"Chapter 2: Data Collection and Presentation",
"Chapter 3: Measures of Central Tendency",
"Chapter 4: Probability Distributions",
"Chapter 5: Sampling and Estimation",
"Chapter 6: Hypothesis Testing",
"Chapter 7: Correlation and Regression",
"Chapter 8: Non-parametric Methods"
],
"offers": [
{
"@type": "Offer",
"@id": "https://example.com/textbooks/introductory-statistics/new/#offer",
"price": "189.99",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"condition": "https://schema.org/NewCondition",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Campus Bookstore"
}
},
{
"@type": "Offer",
"@id": "https://example.com/textbooks/introductory-statistics/rental/#offer",
"price": "45.00",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"priceValidUntil": "2024-05-15",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"seller": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Book Rental Co"
}
}
],
"sameAs": [
"https://www.amazon.com/Introductory-Statistics-Modern-Approach/dp/0123456789",
"https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/introductory-statistics-robert-chen/1234567890",
"https://books.google.com/books/about/Introductory_Statistics.html?id=abcdef"
],
"mainEntityOfPage": {
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://example.com/textbooks/introductory-statistics"
}
}
</script>Frequently Asked Questions
What is Book schema used for?
Book schema describes books, textbooks, e-books, and publications with detailed metadata including authorship, publication details, and content information. It helps search engines display rich book information in search results and knowledge panels.
How do I add Book schema to my book pages?
Add JSON-LD structured data with required properties like name and author. Include optional properties like isbn, publisher, datePublished, and bookFormat for enhanced book listings.
What are the required properties for Book schema?
The only required property is name (book title). However, for rich results eligibility, you'll typically need author and other descriptive information.
Does Book schema enable rich results?
Yes! Book schema enables rich book displays in Google Search with author information, ratings, and publication details. It can show book covers, ratings, and availability in search results.
How do I specify multiple authors for a book?
Use an array for the author property with multiple Person objects. Each author can include name, jobTitle, and affiliation information for academic or professional books.
Can Book schema include ISBN and publication details?
Yes, include isbn for book identification, publisher with Organization schema, datePublished, bookEdition, and numberOfPages for comprehensive publication metadata.
What's the difference between Book and Article schemas?
Book schema is for complete books and publications, while Article is for individual articles, blog posts, or shorter works. Use Book for novels, textbooks, and complete publications.
How do I add educational book information?
Include educationalUse, educationalLevel, and teaches properties. Add educationalCredentialAwarded for course credit and learning objectives for academic textbooks.
Can Book schema include ratings and reviews?
Yes, use aggregateRating with rating statistics and reviews array with individual Review objects. This enhances book credibility and helps with purchase decisions.
How do I specify book format and availability?
Use bookFormat with Schema.org vocabulary (Hardcover, Paperback, EBook, Audiobook) and offers property for pricing and availability information across different retailers.
Does Book schema help with book search visibility?
Yes, Book schema significantly enhances visibility in book searches and literary content. It helps books appear in relevant searches and provides rich metadata for book discovery.
How do I add series information for books?
Use isPartOf with BookSeries schema for book series, including position for the book's place in the series. This helps with series navigation and recommendations.
Can Book schema include translation information?
Yes, use translationOfWork for the original book and translator information. Include inLanguage for the translation language and translator credits.
How often should I update Book schema?
Update when new editions are released, ratings change, or availability updates. Keep publication information current and add new reviews as they become available.
Related Schema Types
SEO & Rich Results Notes
SEO Benefits
Book schema enhances book discoverability and sales through improved search visibility:
- • Rich book listings with cover images and ratings
- • Enhanced visibility in book-related searches
- • Integration with online bookstore platforms
- • Improved click-through rates from attractive book displays
- • Better targeting for reading and book purchase intent
Rich Results Eligibility
Book schema enables enhanced book search features:
- • Book rich cards with covers, authors, and ratings
- • Price and availability information display
- • Integration with Google Books and bookstore results
- • Author and publisher information enhancement
- • Series and edition relationship displays
Reference: Google's Search Central recommends Book markup for improved book search appearance and discoverability.
Important Warnings
- Copyright Compliance: Only markup books you have rights to promote. Respect copyright and publishing agreements.
- ISBN Accuracy: Use correct ISBN numbers for books. Invalid ISBNs can cause validation errors and search issues.
- Content Ownership: Book information should match authoritative sources. Inaccurate metadata can harm search visibility.
- Price Transparency: Display accurate pricing and availability. Misleading price information violates consumer protection guidelines.
Official Documentation
- Schema.org: Book specification
- Google Search Central: Book markup guide
- Rich Results Test: Validate Book markup