What are the key properties for Review 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 Review schema affect SEO?

Review 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 Review schema?

Use Review 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 Review 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.

Review Schema – Complete Guide for Reviews & Rich Results

Q: What is Review schema used for?

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

Review schema markup is essential for e-commerce sites, service providers, and review platforms. It enables rich review displays in search results, including star ratings, review snippets, and aggregated review information.

What is Review Schema?

Review schema describes user reviews, ratings, and feedback for products, services, businesses, and other entities. It tells search engines that your content contains evaluative content, enabling enhanced display features like star ratings and review snippets in search results.

Why Review Schema Matters

Review schema is crucial for businesses and e-commerce sites because it unlocks rich review displays in Google Search, helps build credibility through social proof, and can significantly impact click-through rates from search results.

The key insight: Review schema transforms customer feedback from plain text into structured, searchable review data that search engines can prominently display and use for ranking decisions.

What Review Schema Includes

⭐Star ratings and scoring systems

📝Review content and author information

📦Item or service being reviewed

👍Pros, cons, and detailed feedback

SEO Benefits You Get

⭐Star ratings in search results

📊Review snippets and summaries

🔍Enhanced search result visibility

📈Higher click-through rates

Review Schema Implementation

Complete Product Review Schema Example

Comprehensive Review schema for a product review:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Review",
  "@id": "https://example.com/products/smartphone-x/reviews/john-doe/#review",
  "name": "Excellent smartphone with great camera quality",
  "reviewBody": "I've been using the Smartphone X for three months now and I'm extremely impressed with the camera quality. The photos are crisp and vibrant, even in low light conditions. The battery life lasts all day with heavy use, and the performance is snappy.",
  "datePublished": "2024-01-15T14:30:00Z",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "John Doe",
    "url": "https://example.com/users/john-doe",
    "image": "https://example.com/images/users/john-doe-avatar.jpg"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "@id": "https://example.com/#organization",
    "name": "TechReview Site"
  },
  "reviewRating": {
    "@type": "Rating",
    "ratingValue": "5",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  },
  "itemReviewed": {
    "@type": "Product",
    "@id": "https://example.com/products/smartphone-x/#product",
    "name": "Smartphone X Pro",
    "image": "https://example.com/images/smartphone-x-main.jpg",
    "brand": {
      "@type": "Brand",
      "name": "TechCorp"
    }
  },
  "positiveNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Exceptional camera quality"
    }
  ],
  "negativeNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Premium price point"
    }
  ]
}
</script>

Service Review Example

Review schema for service reviews:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Review",
  "name": "Outstanding customer service experience",
  "reviewBody": "The customer service team went above and beyond to resolve my issue. They were knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cared about solving the problem.",
  "datePublished": "2024-01-12T09:15:00Z",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Sarah Mitchell"
  },
  "reviewRating": {
    "@type": "Rating",
    "ratingValue": "5",
    "bestRating": "5"
  },
  "itemReviewed": {
    "@type": "Service",
    "name": "Premium Customer Support",
    "provider": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Global Services Inc."
    }
  }
}
</script>

Required vs Recommended Properties

Required Properties

•itemReviewed- What is being reviewed
•author- Review author
•reviewRating- Rating value

Recommended Properties

•name- Review title
•reviewBody- Review content
•datePublished- Review date
•publisher- Review platform

Review Schema Best Practices

Content & Accuracy

✅

Genuine Reviews: Only markup authentic user-generated reviews, not marketing copy

✅

Accurate Ratings: Ensure rating values match the actual review content

✅

Complete Attribution: Include proper author information and review dates

Advanced Features

🚀

Structured Pros/Cons: Use positiveNotes and negativeNotes for better display

🚀

Rich Item Details: Include complete product/service information in itemReviewed

🚀

Author Profiles: Link to comprehensive author Person schema pages

Common Review Schema Mistakes

❌ Fake or Manipulated Reviews

Mistake: Using Review schema for fabricated reviews or marketing testimonials.

Fix: Only use Review schema for genuine, user-generated content. Google penalizes manipulated review markup.

❌ Incorrect Rating Scales

Mistake: Using inconsistent rating scales or not specifying bestRating/worstRating.

Fix: Always specify rating scale (typically 1-5) and ensure ratingValue falls within that range.

❌ Missing Item Details

Mistake: Incomplete itemReviewed information that doesn't clearly identify what's being reviewed.

Fix: Include sufficient detail in itemReviewed to clearly identify the product, service, or entity being reviewed.

❌ Anonymous Reviews

Mistake: Publishing reviews without proper author attribution or using generic usernames.

Fix: Include real author information and ensure reviews can be properly attributed to individuals.

Validate Your Review Schema

Testing Tools & Resources

Official Google Tools

Review-Specific Testing

• Verify star ratings display correctly
• Check review snippets appear in search
• Test aggregated rating calculations
• Validate author attribution

Related Schema Types

Product Schema

Product information and details

AggregateRating Schema

Combined review ratings

Person Schema

Reviewer profiles and information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Review schema used for?

Review schema describes user reviews, ratings, and critiques of products, services, businesses, and content. It helps search engines display rich review information with star ratings and reviewer details directly in search results.

How do I add Review schema to my review content?

Add JSON-LD structured data with required properties like reviewRating and author. Include optional properties like reviewBody, datePublished, and itemReviewed for enhanced review displays.

What are the required properties for Review schema?

Required properties include itemReviewed (what's being reviewed) and reviewRating (the rating given). For rich results, you'll also need author and datePublished.

Does Review schema enable rich results?

Yes! Review schema enables rich review displays with star ratings, reviewer information, and review snippets. This significantly improves visibility and credibility for review content.

How do I format review ratings in Review schema?

Use reviewRating with Rating schema including ratingValue (the actual rating), bestRating (maximum possible), and worstRating (minimum possible). For example, a 4-star rating would have ratingValue: 4, bestRating: 5.

Can Review schema work with different rating systems?

Yes, Review schema supports various rating systems. Use bestRating and worstRating to define your scale (e.g., 1-10, 1-5, or letter grades). Always specify the scale clearly.

What's the difference between Review and AggregateRating schemas?

Review schema describes individual reviews with detailed content, while AggregateRating combines multiple reviews into summary statistics. Use both together for comprehensive review information.

Can I include pros and cons in Review schema?

Yes, use positiveNotes and negativeNotes arrays to list specific pros and cons. This provides structured feedback that search engines can display prominently.

How do I handle anonymous reviews?

For anonymous reviews, you can omit the author property or use a generic author like "Anonymous User". However, identified reviews with real author information perform better in rich results.

Can Review schema include images or media?

Yes, include image arrays for review photos or screenshots. Use associatedMedia for videos or additional content. Visual reviews can enhance rich result displays.

What's the best way to handle review verification?

Include verification information through additionalProperty or use isBasedOn for verified purchase indicators. Clearly distinguish between verified and unverified reviews.

Does Review schema improve local business visibility?

Yes, combining Review schema with LocalBusiness schema enhances local search results with review information, ratings, and customer feedback displays.

How often should I update Review schema?

Update when new reviews are added or existing reviews change. Keep review counts and aggregate ratings current to maintain accurate search displays.

Additional JSON-LD Examples

Product Review Example

Complete Review schema for a detailed product review with pros/cons and verification:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Review",
  "@id": "https://example.com/reviews/wireless-earbuds-pro/#review",
  "name": "Premium Wireless Earbuds Pro Review - Excellent Sound Quality",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Alex Thompson",
    "jobTitle": "Technology Reviewer",
    "worksFor": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "TechReview Pro"
    },
    "sameAs": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-thompson-tech"
  },
  "datePublished": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "dateModified": "2024-01-16T14:20:00Z",
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "TechReview Pro",
    "logo": {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/logo.svg"
    }
  },
  "itemReviewed": {
    "@type": "Product",
    "@id": "https://example.com/products/wireless-earbuds-pro/#product",
    "name": "Premium Wireless Earbuds Pro",
    "image": "https://example.com/products/earbuds-main.jpg",
    "brand": {
      "@type": "Brand",
      "name": "AudioTech"
    },
    "offers": {
      "@type": "Offer",
      "price": "199.99",
      "priceCurrency": "USD"
    }
  },
  "reviewRating": {
    "@type": "Rating",
    "ratingValue": "4.5",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  },
  "reviewBody": "After two weeks of testing the Premium Wireless Earbuds Pro, I'm thoroughly impressed with their performance. The sound quality is exceptional with deep bass and clear highs that rival much more expensive competitors. The active noise cancellation works remarkably well, making them perfect for commutes and travel.",
  "positiveNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Outstanding Sound Quality"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Effective Noise Cancellation"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 3,
      "name": "Comfortable Fit"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 4,
      "name": "30-Hour Battery Life"
    }
  ],
  "negativeNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Touch Controls Could Be More Responsive"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Charging Case is Bulky"
    }
  ],
  "associatedMedia": [
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "name": "Earbuds Sound Quality Test Results",
      "contentUrl": "https://example.com/reviews/earbuds-sound-test.jpg",
      "caption": "Frequency response graph showing excellent bass and treble performance"
    }
  ],
  "additionalProperty": [
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Purchase Verification",
      "value": "Verified Purchase"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Testing Duration",
      "value": "14 days"
    }
  ],
  "mainEntityOfPage": {
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://example.com/reviews/wireless-earbuds-pro"
  }
}
</script>

Restaurant Review Example

Review schema for a restaurant review with detailed dining experience:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Review",
  "@id": "https://example.com/reviews/bella-vista-italian/#review",
  "name": "Bella Vista Italian Restaurant - Authentic Tuscan Cuisine",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Maria Rodriguez",
    "jobTitle": "Food Critic",
    "worksFor": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Culinary Gazette"
    }
  },
  "datePublished": "2024-01-12T19:45:00-08:00",
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Culinary Gazette",
    "logo": {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://example.com/logos/culinary-gazette.png"
    }
  },
  "itemReviewed": {
    "@type": "Restaurant",
    "@id": "https://example.com/restaurants/bella-vista/#restaurant",
    "name": "Bella Vista Italian Restaurant",
    "image": "https://example.com/restaurants/bella-vista-exterior.jpg",
    "address": {
      "@type": "PostalAddress",
      "streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
      "addressLocality": "Portland",
      "addressRegion": "OR",
      "postalCode": "97201"
    },
    "servesCuisine": ["Italian", "Tuscan", "Mediterranean"],
    "priceRange": "$$"
  },
  "reviewRating": {
    "@type": "Rating",
    "ratingValue": "4",
    "bestRating": "5",
    "worstRating": "1"
  },
  "reviewBody": "Bella Vista Italian Restaurant offers an authentic taste of Tuscany in downtown Portland. The wood-fired pizzas are exceptional, with perfectly charred crusts and fresh, high-quality toppings. The pasta dishes showcase traditional Italian cooking techniques, and the wine selection is impressive. Service is attentive without being intrusive, and the ambiance creates the perfect setting for a romantic dinner or special occasion.",
  "positiveNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Authentic Tuscan Cuisine"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Exceptional Wood-Fired Pizzas"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 3,
      "name": "Extensive Italian Wine Selection"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 4,
      "name": "Attentive Service"
    }
  ],
  "negativeNotes": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Limited Parking Options"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Popular Spot - Reservations Recommended"
    }
  ],
  "associatedMedia": [
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "name": "Margherita Pizza",
      "contentUrl": "https://example.com/reviews/bella-vista-pizza.jpg",
      "caption": "Traditional Margherita pizza with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "name": "Restaurant Interior",
      "contentUrl": "https://example.com/reviews/bella-vista-interior.jpg",
      "caption": "Warm, inviting dining room with Tuscan decor"
    }
  ],
  "additionalProperty": [
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Visit Date",
      "value": "January 10, 2024"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Party Size",
      "value": "2 people"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Total Cost",
      "value": "$145 including tax and tip"
    }
  ],
  "mainEntityOfPage": {
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://example.com/reviews/bella-vista-italian"
  }
}
</script>

SEO & Rich Results Notes

SEO Benefits

Review schema significantly enhances review content visibility and credibility:

• Rich review displays with star ratings
• Enhanced visibility in review-focused searches
• Improved click-through rates from attractive displays
• Better targeting for review and rating intent
• Increased user engagement and trust signals

Rich Results Eligibility

Review schema enables enhanced review displays:

• Review rich snippets with star ratings
• Author and reviewer information display
• Review date and publication details
• Pros and cons highlighting
• Integration with product and business listings

Reference: Google's Search Central recommends Review markup for enhanced review search appearance and user experience.

Important Warnings

Review Integrity: Only markup genuine reviews from real users. Fabricated or manipulated reviews violate Google's guidelines and can result in penalties.
Rating Accuracy: Review ratings must accurately reflect the content. Misleading ratings can harm user trust and search visibility.
Source Attribution: Clearly attribute review sources and distinguish between different types of reviews (customer, critic, editorial).
Content Ownership: Ensure you have permission to display reviews. Copyrighted review content should be properly licensed.

Official Documentation

Schema.org: Review specification
Google Search Central: Review markup guide
Rich Results Test: Validate Review markup