SEO

Local Schema

Local schema is structured data that describes local business information.

Quick Answer

  • What it is: Local schema is structured data that describes local business information.
  • Why it matters: Clarifies the levers that improve visibility and rankings for high-intent queries.
  • How to check or improve: Audit on-page signals, internal links, and topical relevance.

When you'd use this

Clarifies the levers that improve visibility and rankings for high-intent queries.

Example scenario

Hypothetical scenario (not a real company)

A team might use Local Schema when Audit on-page signals, internal links, and topical relevance.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Local Schema with Search Intent: The underlying goal or purpose behind a user's search query, categorized as informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional.
  • Confusing Local Schema with SERP: Search Engine Results Page - the page displayed by search engines in response to a query. Learn about SERP features, analysis techniques, and how to optimize for modern search results including AI Overviews.

How to measure or implement

  • Audit on-page signals, internal links, and topical relevance

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Updated Jan 17, 2026·3 min read

Why this matters

When local schema is handled correctly, it reduces friction for crawlers and users. Improving local schema makes it easier to align intent, relevance, and technical signals. Strong local schema decisions compound because they reduce ambiguity and improve consistency across templates.

Common reasons issues show up

  • Local Schema is implemented differently across sections of the site
  • Signals related to local schema conflict with canonical or index directives
  • Updates are made without validating local schema in Search Console

Common mistakes

  • Applying local schema inconsistently across templates
  • Ignoring how local schema impacts crawl efficiency
  • Failing to validate local schema after site changes
  • Over-optimizing local schema without checking intent alignment
  • Using local schema signals that conflict with canonical URLs

How to check or improve Local Schema (quick checklist)

  1. Validate local schema in your most important templates and pages.
  2. Monitor changes in Search Console or analytics after updates.
  3. Document how local schema should be implemented for future updates.
  4. Review your current local schema setup for accuracy and consistency.

Examples

Example 1: A site fixes local schema issues and sees more stable indexing within a few weeks. Example 2: A team audits local schema and uncovers conflicts that were suppressing rankings.

FAQs

How often should I review local schema?

Review it after major releases and at least quarterly for critical pages. This keeps local schema aligned with intent and technical signals.

Is local schema different for large sites?

Large sites need stricter governance because small inconsistencies scale quickly. This keeps local schema aligned with intent and technical signals.

What is Local Schema?

Local Schema focuses on aligning signals so search engines and users interpret your page correctly. This keeps local schema aligned with intent and technical signals.

How do I validate local schema?

Use Search Console, site crawlers, and template checks to confirm local schema is implemented correctly. This keeps local schema aligned with intent and technical signals.

  • Guide: /resources/guides/keyword-research-ai-search
  • Template: /templates/definitive-guide
  • Use case: /use-cases/marketing-agencies
  • Glossary:
    • /glossary/search-intent
    • /glossary/serp

Local Schema improvements compound over time because they clarify signals and reduce ambiguity for crawlers and users. Use the checklist to prioritize fixes and document changes so the team can maintain consistency across releases.

Local Schema improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.

Local Schema improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.

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