Google’s Structured Data documentation for vacation rentals has recently been updated to require more specific data in a change that is more of a clarification than a change in requirements. This change was made without any formal announcement or changelog entry on the developer pages.
Structured data of vacation rentals
These types of specific structured data make vacation rental information suitable for rich results specific to that type of rental. However, it is not available for all websites. Vacation rental owners must be connected to a technical Google account manager and have access to Google Hotel Center platform.
Structured Data Type Definitions VacationRental
The main changes were made to the structured data property type definitions where Google defines what the required and recommended property types are.
The changes to the documentation are in the section governing recommended properties and represent a clarification of the recommendations rather than a change in what Google requires.
The main changes were made to the structured data type definitions where Google defines what property types are required and recommended.
The changes to the documentation are in the section governing recommended properties and represent a clarification of the recommendations rather than a change in what Google requires.
Address owned by Schema.org
This is a subtle change, but it is important because it now represents a recommendation that requires more precise data.
This is what was recommended before:
“streetAddress”: “1600 Amphitheater Pkwy”.
Here’s what he now recommends:
“streetAddress”: “1600 Amphitheater Pkwy, Unit 6E”
Description of address ownership change
The most substantial change is the description of what the “address” property is, becoming more descriptive and precise about what is recommended.
The description before the change:
Postal address
Ad address information. Include all properties that apply to your country.
The description after the change:
Postal address
The complete physical location of the vacation rental.
Please provide the postal address, city, state or region and zip code of the vacation rental. If applicable, please provide the unit or apartment number.
Note that PO boxes or other mail-only addresses are not considered full physical addresses.
This is repeated in the address.streetAddress property section
This is what I was recommending before:
address.streetAddress Text
The full address of your holiday listing.
And this is what he recommends now:
address.streetAddress Text
The full address on your holiday listing, including the unit or apartment number, if applicable.
Clarification and no change
While these updates do not represent a change in Google’s guidance, they are nonetheless important because they provide clearer guidance with less ambiguity about what is recommended.
Read the updated guide to structured data:
Structured vacation rental data (VacationRental).
Featured image by Shutterstock/New Africa
