How to Fix Unparsable Structured Data Error in Google Search Console

Seeing the “Unparsable structured data” error in your Google Search Console reports? It’s a red flag for anyone serious about SEO.

Whether you’re an eCommerce business owner, a blogger, or a technical SEO expert, this error means that Google can’t understand your structured data—and that can block your site from showing enhanced results like rich snippets, FAQs, star ratings, or product information.

Most people searching this issue are looking for one thing: a clear fix. They’re either trying to rank better, appear with stars in search, or fix a drop in impressions. This blog is crafted to help you do exactly that. We’ll cover:

What the “Unparsable structured data” error really means
Why it happens on your website (with real examples)
How to fix it using free tools and manual audits
How to avoid it in future updates or CMS changes

By the end, you’ll not only understand the cause but confidently fix and validate your structured data—no guesswork, no developer dependency. Let’s fix this and get your structured data SEO back on track.

2. What Is Structured Data and Why It Matters for SEO

Structured data is a standardized format used to provide context to search engines about the content on your web pages. It helps Google understand what each part of your page is about—whether it’s a product, review, article, recipe, FAQ, or local business.

It’s written in a specific format using schema.org vocabulary, typically in JSON-LD, and placed within the <head> or <body> of your HTML code. When implemented correctly, it enables rich results like:

Star ratings under product listings
Recipe cards with images and prep time
FAQ dropdowns in SERPs
Event listings with dates and locations
Breadcrumbs and site links

For businesses, it’s more than just technical SEO—structured data boosts visibility, click-through rates (CTR), and trust. But when Google cannot read it due to syntax errors or misuse of properties, it leads to the dreaded “unparsable structured data” error, which prevents enhanced search features from appearing.

In short, correct structured data is a gateway to better rankings and richer results—errors block that opportunity.

3. What Is “Unparsable Structured Data” Error?

The “Unparsable Structured Data” error in Google Search Console means that Google found structured data on your page, but couldn’t read or process it due to syntax or format issues. This error falls under the “Enhancements” section and directly affects your chances of qualifying for rich results.

In simpler terms, Google is telling you: “We found your schema markup, but something is broken or invalid, so we’re ignoring it.”

Where You’ll See the Error

You can locate this issue in Google Search Console under:

Enhancements → Unparsable structured data
It shows affected pages, the type of error, and when Google last detected it

This error can impact any schema type—Product, FAQ, Review, Event, Breadcrumb, etc.—and usually blocks your structured data from producing enhanced listings in search.

4. Common Causes of Unparsable Structured Data Errors

Structured data helps Google understand your page better, but even a small mistake in your schema markup can lead to “Unparsable structured data” errors. Below are the most common reasons why this error appears in Google Search Console.

Typical Issues That Trigger This Error:

Missing or misplaced brackets: Forgetting a comma, curly brace { }, or square bracket [ ] in JSON-LD format.
Improper data types: Using text where a number is expected or vice versa (e.g., "price": "twenty" instead of "price": 20).
Use of invalid characters: Special characters (like smart quotes or ampersands) that break parsing.
Unsupported or incorrect field names: Typo in property name or using a non-standard field (e.g., "productRating" instead of "aggregateRating").
Mixing markup types: Using both Microdata and JSON-LD on the same element, causing confusion.
Extra commas: A trailing comma after the last item in a list can invalidate the JSON structure.
Unclosed tags in Microdata: Missing closing tags if you’re using HTML-based schema (like </span>).

Most of these errors are minor but enough for Google to completely ignore your schema—resulting in the loss of rich results visibility in SERPs.

5. How to Fix Unparsable Structured Data Errors in JSON-LD

If you’re using JSON-LD format (the recommended structured data format by Google), resolving “Unparsable structured data” errors is often straightforward. Follow the steps below to locate and fix the issue effectively.

Step-by-Step Fixing Guide:

Step 1: Open Google Search Console and navigate to the “Enhancements” or “Unparsable Structured Data” report to identify which pages have the issue.
Step 2: Click on the affected URL and copy the structured data snippet from that page’s source code.
Step 3: Visit Google’s Rich Results Test Tool or Schema Markup Validator and paste your JSON-LD to test for syntax errors.
Step 4: Carefully check for issues such as missing commas, brackets, incorrect nesting, or unsupported properties.
Step 5: Fix the markup and validate again until no errors are shown.
Step 6: Update your webpage with the corrected JSON-LD and reindex it using “Request Indexing” in Search Console.

Using JSONLint or VS Code with JSON plugins can also help catch syntax issues instantly while editing. Always validate before deploying live.

6. Fixing Unparsable Structured Data in Microdata Format

If your website uses Microdata instead of JSON-LD, debugging structured data errors requires checking how HTML elements are annotated directly within your content. Microdata is embedded inline, so syntax issues can easily occur if tags are misused or improperly nested.

Common Microdata Issues to Fix:

Missing itemtype or itemscope: Ensure that elements defining structured data include both itemscope and itemtype attributes.
Incorrect nesting: Properties must be inside the correct parent element defined by itemscope.
Invalid or deprecated attributes: Use only supported schema.org properties for the itemtype you’ve specified.
HTML errors: Unclosed tags or malformed HTML can cause parsing to fail even if the structured data appears correct.

To resolve Microdata issues:

Open the affected page and inspect the HTML structure manually.
Look for the itemscope and itemtype declarations.
Verify that each itemprop is placed correctly within its scope.
Test the page using the Schema Markup Validator.
Fix any syntax or structural problems and retest.

Though Microdata is still supported, switching to JSON-LD is often easier for managing and scaling your structured data cleanly and consistently.

7. How to Validate Structured Data After Fixing

After making corrections to your structured data, it’s crucial to validate your implementation before resubmitting to Google. This ensures the changes are properly understood by search engines and that the “Unparsable Structured Data” error no longer exists.

Recommended Validation Tools:

Google Rich Results Test – Best for testing eligibility for rich results like FAQs, reviews, products, and events.
Schema Markup Validator – Created by Schema.org for standard JSON-LD and Microdata syntax checking.
Google Search Console – Use the URL Inspection Tool to test the live version and monitor whether the error is removed.

Steps to validate:

Paste the fixed URL into the Google Rich Results Test or Schema Validator.
Confirm that no errors appear in the structured data preview.
Open Google Search Console, go to the Enhancements section, and click “Validate Fix” for the unparsable error.
Monitor the validation status over the next few days until Google confirms the issue is resolved.

By validating structured data using trusted tools, you ensure cleaner search performance, improved indexing, and better visibility in Google’s rich snippets.

8. Best Practices to Prevent Unparsable Errors in Future

Preventing future “Unparsable Structured Data” errors ensures your SEO efforts remain stable and your rich results continue to show up correctly in Google. Adopting the right practices early on can save hours of debugging later.

Key Tips to Avoid Future Errors:

Use JSON-LD Format: Google prefers JSON-LD over Microdata or RDFa. It’s cleaner, easier to maintain, and less prone to nesting issues.
Follow Schema.org Guidelines: Always use the latest vocabulary and structure from Schema.org.
Validate Before Deployment: Run all structured data through Google’s Rich Results Test or Schema Validator before pushing it live.
Avoid Dynamically Injecting Markup: If using JavaScript to load schema, ensure it’s rendered and crawlable by bots. Use server-side rendering or hydration tools for safety.
Keep Code Clean: Avoid typos, unnecessary commas, and incorrect brackets in JSON. Most parsing errors are syntax-related.
Monitor in Search Console: Regularly check the Enhancements section to catch and fix issues early.
Use Plugins Wisely: If using CMS plugins (like Rank Math or Yoast), configure them properly and don’t duplicate structured data manually.

By implementing these best practices, you’ll minimize future errors and ensure your structured data remains Google-compliant and search-friendly.

9. FAQs on Unparsable Structured Data Error

Below are some frequently asked questions related to the “Unparsable Structured Data” error in Google Search Console, designed to give you quick, actionable clarity:

1. What causes the “Unparsable Structured Data” error?

It usually occurs due to syntax errors in your structured data — like missing brackets, extra commas, invalid characters, or use of unsupported schema types.

2. Does this error affect SEO rankings?

While it may not directly impact rankings, it prevents your rich snippets (stars, product info, FAQs) from appearing, which can reduce CTR and visibility.

3. How do I know which page has the issue?

Check the error report in Google Search Console under “Enhancements.” You can find affected URLs and details there.

4. Can I ignore this error if my site is working fine?

Ignoring it is risky. Structured data enhances search results. Errors may block eligibility for rich results even if your page ranks well.

5. What’s the fastest way to fix the error?

Validate the code using Google’s Rich Results Test. Fix any JSON syntax issues or incorrect schema attributes it highlights.

6. I use a plugin. Why am I getting errors?

Sometimes plugins generate outdated or conflicting schema. Update the plugin, check its settings, and remove any manual schema duplication.

7. Should I use JSON-LD, Microdata, or RDFa?

JSON-LD is recommended by Google. It’s less prone to structural errors and is easier to manage compared to Microdata or RDFa.

8. Will removing the structured data fix the error?

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Instead, fix the structured data to keep the SEO benefits of enhanced SERP features.

9. How often should I check for this error?

Once a week is ideal, especially after major content updates or plugin changes. Monitor the Search Console regularly.

10. Can developers automate schema validation?

Yes. Use CI/CD pipelines with schema testing tools like Schema.org Validator to catch issues before pushing live.

Fix It Before It Hurts

The “Unparsable Structured Data” error might look like a small technical glitch, but its impact can quietly erode your site’s visibility and CTR. Structured data helps search engines understand your content better — and when it’s broken, you miss out on rich results like FAQs, reviews, or product highlights that drive attention.

Don’t leave errors unresolved. Use tools like Google Rich Results Test and Schema Markup Validator regularly. Fixing the syntax or plugin issues can instantly improve your site’s eligibility for enhanced listings.

If you’re unsure where to begin or need expert help, our team can audit your website’s structured data, fix errors, and future-proof your schema strategy.

Ready to clean up your structured data and win more clicks?

Book a consultation with our SEO and Google Ads experts to get started today.