Introducing Google's Latest Carousel Rich Result Feature
Discover Google's latest addition to search results - a dynamic carousel rich result designed for showcasing products, local businesses such as restaurants and hotels, and upcoming events. Learn how this feature enhances user experience and increases visibility for relevant search queries.
Google has introduced a new carousel rich result that showcases local businesses, products, and events in a scrolling horizontal carousel. This feature is versatile and can be used to create lists such as top things to do in a city, combining hotels, restaurants, and events. Currently, this feature is in beta testing.
The new carousel rich result is specifically designed for displaying lists in a carousel format. As per the announcement, the rich results are limited to certain types.
“LocalBusiness and its subtypes, for example:
– Restaurant
– Hotel
– VacationRental
Product
Event”
An example of subtypes is Lodgings, which is a subset of LocalBusiness.
Here is the Schema.org hierarchical structure that shows the LodgingBusiness type as being a subset of the LocalBusiness type.
Thing > Organization > LocalBusiness > LodgingBusiness
Thing > Place > LocalBusiness > LodgingBusiness
****ItemList Structured Data
The carousel shows tiles with details like price, ratings, and images extracted from the webpage. The order of information in the ****ItemList structured data determines the sequence in which they appear in the carousel.
In order to qualify for the new rich result, publishers need to utilize the ****ItemList structured data.
All details within the ****ItemList structured data should be present on the webpage itself. It is important not to include any information in the structured data that is not visible on the webpage.
There are two important rules when using this structured data:
The ****ItemList type must be the top level container for the structured data.
All URLs in the list should lead to various webpages within the same domain. This ensures that each link directs users to different pages on the website.
It's important to note that the ****ItemList serves as the top level container. This means that the structured data cannot be combined with another set of structured data if the top-level container is not an ****ItemList.
For example, the structured data must begin like this:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "****ItemList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
Mix And Match
With this new carousel rich result, publishers have the flexibility to combine various entities as long as they fall within the eligible structured data types.
LocalBusiness and its subtypes
Product
Event
Google’s announcement explains how to mix and match the different structured data types:
You have the flexibility to combine various types of entities, such as hotels and restaurants, to suit your needs. For instance, if you have a webpage featuring both local events and local businesses.
Here is an example of how you can use a ListItem structured data for a webpage showcasing Things To Do In Paris.
The following structured data is for two events and a local business (the Eiffel Tower):
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "****ItemList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"item": {
"@type": "Event",
"name": "Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise",
"image": [
"https://example.com/photos/1x1/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/4x3/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/16x9/photo.jpg"
],
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": 45.00,
"priceCurrency": "EUR"
},
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": 4.2,
"reviewCount": 690
},
"url": "https://www.example.com/event-location1"
}
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"item": {
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Notre-Dame Cathedral",
"image": [
"https://example.com/photos/1x1/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/4x3/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/16x9/photo.jpg"
],
"priceRange": "$",
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": 4.8,
"reviewCount": 4220
},
"url": "https://www.example.com/localbusiness-location"
}
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"item": {
"@type": "Event",
"name": "Eiffel Tower With Host Summit Tour",
"image": [
"https://example.com/photos/1x1/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/4x3/photo.jpg",
"https://example.com/photos/16x9/photo.jpg"
],
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": 59.00,
"priceCurrency": "EUR"
},
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": 4.9,
"reviewCount": 652
},
"url": "https://www.example.com/event-location2"
}
}
]
}
</script>
Be As Specific As Possible
Google suggests being specific when choosing a structured data type for your business. However, if there isn't a perfect match, it's acceptable to use the more general LocalBusiness type.
In different situations, you can select the most suitable type. For instance, if your webpage includes both hotels and vacation rentals, you can use Hotel and VacationRental types. While it's best to opt for the most relevant type, you can also go for a broader type like LocalBusiness.
Can Be Used For Products
A super interesting use case for this structured data is for displaying a list of products in a carousel rich result.
The structured data for that begins as a ****ItemList structured data type like this:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "****ItemList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"item": {
When using structured data for a product, you can include images, ratings, review count, and currency. By doing so, your webpage may be eligible for the carousel rich results.
Google has a list of recommended recommended properties that can be used with the Products version, such as offers, offers.highPrice, and offers.lowPrice.
Good For Local Businesses and Merchants
Local businesses and publishers who list events, restaurants, and lodgings have a great opportunity with this new structured data. It opens the door for a new type of rich result.
It's important to note that using this structured data doesn't automatically mean it will display as a rich result. It simply makes your content eligible for it.
This new feature is in beta, meaning that it’s a test.
Read the new developer page for this new rich result type:
Structured data carousels (beta)
Featured Image by Shutterstock/RYO Alexandre
Editor's P/S:
The introduction of the new carousel rich result by Google presents a versatile tool for showcasing local businesses, products, and events. This feature allows for the creation of dynamic lists that combine various entities, such as hotels, restaurants, and events, into a single, scrolling carousel. This flexibility provides publishers with the freedom to tailor their content to suit their specific needs, making it a valuable asset for local businesses and merchants.
The use of ****ItemList structured data is crucial to qualify for this new rich result. By adhering to the guidelines and ensuring that the information within the structured data is present on the webpage itself, publishers can increase their chances of having their content displayed in this prominent format. The ability to mix and match different structured data types, such as LocalBusiness, Product, and Event, further enhances the versatility of this feature, allowing publishers to create comprehensive and engaging lists for their audience.
