Google deprecates seven structured data types to simplify search results

Google announced on June 12, 2025, that it will phase out support for seven structured data types in Google Search results over the coming weeks and months. The tech giant describes this move as part of ongoing efforts to "simplify the search results page" and streamline user experience.

The deprecated structured data types include Book Actions, Course Info, Claim Review, Estimated Salary, Learning Video, Special Announcement, and Vehicle Listing. According to the official blog post by Henry Hsu, Product Manager at Google Search, "our analysis shows that they're not commonly used in Search, and we found that these specific displays are no longer providing significant additional value for users."

Summary

Who: Google Search team led by Product Manager Henry Hsu announced the deprecation affecting website owners, developers, and marketing professionals using the specified structured data types.

What: Deprecation of seven structured data types (Book Actions, Course Info, Claim Review, Estimated Salary, Learning Video, Special Announcement, Vehicle Listing) from Google Search results to simplify the search experience.

When: Announced June 12, 2025, with phase-out occurring over the coming weeks and months following the announcement date.

Where: The changes affect Google Search results globally across all languages and regions, impacting websites implementing the deprecated structured data markup.

Why: Google's analysis showed these structured data types were not commonly used in Search and no longer provided significant additional value for users, prompting the simplification effort to focus on more useful and widely adopted features.

Technical impact varies across structured data types

Each deprecated type served different purposes within Google's rich results ecosystem. Book Actions enabled publishers to provide direct purchase and borrowing links for books through ReadAction and BorrowAction implementations. The system supported both individual retailers and library networks through LibrarySystem entities, requiring specific feed formats and authentication protocols.

Course Info structured data allowed educational providers to display detailed course information, including pricing, prerequisites, and instructor details. The markup supported both individual courses and course programs through CourseInstance entities, with requirements for specific educational level definitions and curriculum structures.

Special Announcement markup, initially designed for urgent COVID-19 related communications, enabled organizations to publish time-sensitive information with expiration dates. The system supported various announcement types including government benefits, school closures, and health guidelines through SpecialAnnouncement entities.

Vehicle Listing structured data provided car dealerships with capabilities to display vehicle inventory information directly in search results. The implementation required specific VIN numbers, pricing details, and availability status through structured Car entities with detailed specifications.

Learning Video markup allowed educational content creators to enhance video visibility with educational level indicators and learning resource classifications. The system supported both single videos and multi-clip educational content through VideoObject and LearningResource type combinations.

Estimated Salary structured data enabled salary estimate providers to display compensation ranges for specific occupations and locations. The markup supported both individual occupation listings and employer-aggregated data through Occupation and OccupationAggregationByEmployer entities.

Claim Review markup facilitated fact-checking organizations in displaying fact verification results directly in search results. The implementation required specific rating systems and claim attribution through ClaimReview entities with structured rating properties.

Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance

A deeply researched insider’s account of Google’s epic two-decade campaign to dominate online advertising by any means necessary.

Order Now

Marketing implications for search visibility

The deprecation affects websites currently implementing these structured data types, though Google emphasizes that rankings remain unaffected. Barry Schwartz, reporting for Search Engine Roundtable, noted that sites utilizing these markups gained click-through rate improvements during their implementation periods.

The change reflects Google's strategic shift toward features with broader user adoption. While deprecated markups will no longer generate enhanced search displays, the underlying structured data remains technically valid for other search engines and applications.

Marketing professionals managing affected websites should evaluate alternative strategies for search visibility. Google's recent loyalty program structured data support demonstrates the platform's continued investment in e-commerce focused features, suggesting strategic priorities favor transactional and commercial content enhancement.

For educational content providers affected by Learning Video and Course Info deprecations, alternative optimization strategies include focus on traditional SEO signals and emerging features. Google's expansion of education Q&A carousels to Portuguese-speaking regions indicates continued support for educational content through different structured data approaches.

Publishers previously using Book Actions should consider integration with Google Merchant Center for product listings, while vehicle dealerships can explore Google My Business optimization and traditional product markup implementations.

Broader context of Google's structured data strategy

This deprecation follows Google's historical pattern of regularly evaluating structured data effectiveness. The company previously removed sitelinks search box functionality in November 2024, citing declining usage patterns.

Simultaneously, Google continues expanding structured data support in other areas. Recent additions include product variants support for e-commerce sites and return policy management enhancements, indicating strategic focus on commercial applications.

The deprecation timeline provides affected sites several weeks to months for transition planning. Google recommends maintaining existing markup during the phase-out period, as removal will not trigger Search Console errors or affect core search functionality.

For marketing teams, the changes underscore the importance of monitoring Google's structured data roadmap and maintaining flexible implementation strategies. PPC Land's coverage of Google's Search Console documentation updatesprovides ongoing insights into supported features and emerging opportunities.

The announcement reinforces Google's commitment to user experience optimization over comprehensive feature offerings. Marketing professionals should prioritize structured data implementations with demonstrated user engagement and broad applicability rather than niche-specific enhancements.

Timeline

• June 12, 2025: Google announces deprecation of seven structured data types including Book Actions, Course Info, Claim Review, Estimated Salary, Learning Video, Special Announcement, and Vehicle Listing

• June 10, 2025: Google adds loyalty program structured data markup enabling businesses to showcase member benefits in search results

• April 9, 2025: Google expands education Q&A carousel to Portuguese-speaking regions demonstrating continued educational content support

• March 17, 2025: Google updates return policy structured data requirements adding returnPolicyCountry as mandatory field

• February 20, 2024: Google adds structured data support for Product Variants empowering merchants to showcase product variations

• November 21, 2024: Google removes sitelinks search box from search results citing declining usage

• August 26, 2024: Google updates Search Console documentation providing comprehensive table of supported search appearances

• June 20, 2024: Google simplifies return policy management for online businesses through organization-level structured data