In GSC(Google Search Console), breadcrumbs are a type of specific feature that helps Google to understand the structure of our website and the hierarchy of our website pages.
What is a Hierarchy of our website pages?
Hierarchy is the strategic arrangement of information on a web page where the more important website pages are shown instead of the less important ones
Breadcrumbs are typically the ones that are displayed in search results as a series of clickable links that show the path from the current page to the homepage or the category page. They also provide users with a pretty clear navigation path and lead to improvement of the user experience of your website.
Here's how breadcrumbs work in Google Search Console and their importance:
1. Structured Data Markup:
To enable breadcrumbs in Google Search Console, you need to implement structured data markup on your website if your website doesn't have structured data markup then it's time to get one.
Structured data is a crucial and important part of gaining visibility online as it provides a clear sense of what the webpage content is all about. This helps search engines interpret it better and match it to relevant search queries. There are many benefits of using structured data.
The schema.org markup for breadcrumbs is typically used for this purpose.
2. Hierarchy Representation:
Breadcrumbs help Google understand the hierarchy of your site's pages so they can understand more clearly how your website is structured. For example, if you have a product page within a category, the breadcrumb might look like this: Home > Category > Product. This tells Google the relationship between these pages. So, having well-structured data can help your website boost in Google search.
3. Rich Snippets:
When Google recognizes your breadcrumbs markup, it may display the breadcrumb trail in search results as a rich snippet. This can enhance the visibility and click-through rate of your pages in search results because it provides users with a clear path to navigate your site.
4. SEO Benefits:
Breadcrumbs can also have SEO benefits by improving the structure of your website and if you don't have a good structure then it's time you get a web dev and implement it on your site. Google likes well-structured sites because they make it easier for search engines to crawl and understand your content more easily.
5. User Experience:
Breadcrumbs improve the user experience by showing users where they are within your site and providing an easy way to navigate back to previous pages. This can reduce bounce rates and increase user engagement.
To implement breadcrumbs in Google Search Console, you need to add the necessary structured data markup to your web pages. You can use JSON-LD or microdata format to markup your breadcrumb structure. Here's a simplified example in JSON-LD:
```json
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "http://schema.org",
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"item": {
"@id": "https://example.com/",
"name": "Home"
}
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"item": {
"@id": "https://example.com/category",
"name": "Category"
}
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"item": {
"@id": "https://example.com/category/product",
"name": "Product"
}
}
]
}
</script>
```
Make sure to customize the URLs and breadcrumb names according to your website's structure. Once you've implemented breadcrumbs, you can monitor their performance and appearance in the Google Search Console to ensure they are being recognized and displayed correctly in search results.
How do I make sure my website has a good breadcrumb?
To ensure your website has a good breadcrumb navigation, here are some best practices and steps you can follow:
1. Keep It Simple and Hierarchical
- Hierarchy: Breadcrumbs should reflect the website’s structure, showing the path from the homepage to the current page.
- Simplicity: Avoid making the breadcrumb trail too complex. It should be a clear, straightforward path for users to follow.
2. Place Breadcrumbs at the Top
- Position the breadcrumb trail at the top of the page, typically below the header or navigation bar, so users can easily find it.
3. Use Clear Labels
- Use clear, descriptive labels that reflect the title or category of the pages. This helps users understand where they are on your site.
4. Link Each Step
- Ensure each segment of the breadcrumb trail is clickable, except for the current page. This allows users to easily navigate back to previous pages.
5. Separate with Dividers
- Use simple dividers (e.g.,
> or /) between breadcrumb levels to clearly distinguish each step in the hierarchy.
6. Ensure Mobile Friendliness
- Make sure your breadcrumbs are responsive and display well on mobile devices. Consider using a dropdown or collapsible breadcrumb on smaller screens.
7. Schema Markup for SEO
- Implement schema.org markup for breadcrumbs. This helps search engines understand and display your breadcrumb trail in search results, improving your site’s SEO.
8. Test for Usability
- Conduct user testing to ensure the breadcrumb trail is intuitive and aids navigation. Make adjustments based on feedback.
Example Code (HTML & CSS):
Here's a simple example of a breadcrumb trail using HTML and CSS:
html
<nav aria-label="breadcrumb">
<ol class="breadcrumb">
<li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/">Home</a></li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/category">Category</a></li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item active" aria-current="page">Current Page</li>
</ol>
</nav>
------------------------------------------------------
css
.breadcrumb {
display: flex;
list-style: none;
padding: 0;
background: none;
}
.breadcrumb-item + .breadcrumb-item::before {
content: ">";
padding: 0 8px;
color: #6c757d;
}
.breadcrumb a {
text-decoration: none;
color: #007bff;
}
.breadcrumb a:hover {
text-decoration: underline;
}
.breadcrumb .active {
color: #6c757d;
}
This will create a breadcrumb trail that is easy to follow and looks clean on your website.
Does Google use breadcrumbs to display search results?
No, Google doesn't directly use breadcrumbs in the way traditional websites do to display search results. However, Google employs a similar concept to organize and present search results to users. Here's a breakdown of how Google ranks and structures search results:
Understanding Breadcrumbs:
Breadcrumbs are navigational elements on websites that visually depict a user's location within the website's hierarchy. They typically appear as a horizontal trail of text links, separated by arrows, leading users back to the homepage. For instance, you might see "Home > Blog > Web Design Trends" breadcrumbs, indicating you're on a webpage about web design trends within a blog section of the website.
Google's Ranking Algorithm:
Google uses a complex algorithm to rank search results. This algorithm considers hundreds of factors, including:
Relevance: How well the content on a webpage matches the user's search query.
Backlinks: The number and quality of links from other websites pointing to the target webpage.
Content Quality: Google assesses factors like content freshness, depth of information, and user engagement metrics.
Website Expertise: Google evaluates the website's overall authority and reputation on a specific topic.
Similarities to Breadcrumbs:
While Google doesn't use breadcrumbs in the same visual way, it incorporates similar principles to structure search results:
Hierarchy: Google prioritizes web pages that best match the user's search intent. Search results are displayed in a hierarchy, with the most relevant pages at the top.
Categories and Subcategories: Google might categorize results based on the user's query. For example, a search for "running shoes" might show categories like "Best Running Shoes for Men," "Top-Rated Running Shoes for Women," and so on.
Knowledge Panels: For specific searches, Google might display Knowledge Panels containing concise snippets of information directly on the search results page. This can be seen as a way to provide users with breadcrumbs of knowledge related to their search.
In essence, Google prioritizes relevant and high-quality content, much like how breadcrumbs help users navigate a website based on relevance and hierarchy.
Here's an additional point to consider:
Dynamic Results: Unlike static website breadcrumbs, Google's search results are dynamic. They can change based on the user's location, search history, and other personalized factors.
I hope this explanation clarifies how Google structures search results without relying on traditional breadcrumbs.
