Breadcrumb Schema is an essential tool for improving your website's visibility and usability in search engine results. It enhances navigation for users and allows search engines to display a hierarchical structure of your site in search results. This guide outlines how to implement Breadcrumb Schema effectively based on practical steps demonstrated using Sierra Interactive. 




Why Breadcrumb Schema Matters

Breadcrumb Schema serves two primary purposes:

  1. Enhanced Search Appearance: It enables search engines like Google to display breadcrumb links under your website's URL in search results, improving visibility and attracting clicks.
  2. Improved User Navigation: It provides a clear path for users to understand their location on your site and navigate between pages effortlessly.

Steps to Add Breadcrumb Schema

1. Log Into Your CMS

  • Access your content management system (CMS), such as Sierra Interactive.
  • Select a primary page (e.g., “St. Catharines”) and click "Edit."

2. Choose Target Pages

  • Focus on adding breadcrumbs to specific child pages, such as neighborhoods or subcategories (e.g., "Downtown St. Catharines").
  • Limit breadcrumbs to three or four key levels to avoid overcrowding, though you can add more for comprehensive community or category coverage.

3. Create the Breadcrumb Schema Section

  • Scroll to the content area of the page.
  • Create a new section titled “Breadcrumbs Schema” to keep the code separate from other content.

4. Add Breadcrumb Schema Code

  • Use JSON-LD format for the Breadcrumb Schema. For example:
<p>
<script type="application/ld+json">// <![CDATA[
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "88 James",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/88-james/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Downtown St. Catharines Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/downtown-st-catharines-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 3,
      "name": "Lakeshore Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/lakeshore-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 4,
      "name": "Port Weller Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/port-weller-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 5,
      "name": "Grapeview Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/grapeview-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 6,
      "name": "North End St. Catharines Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/north-end-st-catharines-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 7,
      "name": "Port Weller West Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/port-weller-west-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 8,
      "name": "Old Glenridge Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/old-glenridge-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 9,
      "name": "Secord Woods Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/secord-woods-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 10,
      "name": "Lakeport Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/lakeport-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 11,
      "name": "Port Dalhousie Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/port-dalhousie-homes-for-sale/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 12,
      "name": "Western Hill Homes for Sale",
      "item": "https://www.niagarahomes.com/st-catharines/western-hill-homes-for-sale/"
    }
  ]
}
// ]]></script>
</p>

 Validate Your Schema

  • Use a schema validation tool, such as Google's Rich Results Test, to ensure the code is error-free.
  • Paste your page URL into the validator and check for errors or warnings.

6. Handle Conflicts with Automatic Breadcrumbs

  • Some CMS platforms, like Sierra Interactive, may automatically generate breadcrumbs. To avoid duplication:
    • Disable the automatic breadcrumbs by selecting “Hide Breadcrumbs” in your CMS settings.
    • Validate again to ensure only your custom breadcrumbs appear.

Key Considerations When Adding Breadcrumb Schema

  1. Position Matters:

    • Assign a clear sequence to the breadcrumbs using the position attribute, starting with 1 for the top-level page.

  2. Short Titles:

    • Keep breadcrumb titles concise to avoid truncation in search results.

  3. Custom Links:

    • Use breadcrumbs to highlight important pages rather than just the homepage, driving traffic to targeted areas of your site.

  4. Validation is Critical:

    • Always test your schema to ensure it functions as intended, avoiding issues in Google Search Console.

Pro Tips for Efficiency

  • Batch Processing: Open multiple pages in tabs and copy their URLs into a text editor for quick editing.
  • Uniform Format: Maintain consistency across all breadcrumb entries for a professional appearance.
  • SEO Optimization: Use descriptive and relevant page names in breadcrumb titles to align with your SEO strategy.