When implementing structured data, you have three format options: JSON-LD, Microdata, and RDFa. Each has its advantages and use cases, but one has emerged as the clear recommendation. Let’s compare them.

The Three Schema Formats

JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data)

A JavaScript-based format that adds structured data through a <script> tag, separate from your HTML content.

Microdata

An HTML-based format that embeds structured data directly in your page’s HTML elements using attributes.

RDFa (Resource Description Framework in Attributes)

Similar to Microdata, it embeds structured data in HTML using different attribute names.

Google’s Official Recommendation

Google explicitly recommends JSON-LD as the preferred format for structured data. Here’s why:

“Google recommends using JSON-LD for structured data whenever possible.” — Google Search Central Documentation

Quick Comparison

Feature	JSON-LD	Microdata	RDFa
Google Recommendation	✅ Preferred	⚪ Supported	⚪ Supported
Separation from HTML	✅ Complete	❌ Embedded	❌ Embedded
Easy to Implement	✅ Yes	⚪ Moderate	❌ Complex
Easy to Maintain	✅ Yes	❌ Difficult	❌ Difficult
CMS Compatibility	✅ Excellent	⚪ Good	⚪ Fair
Dynamic Content	✅ Excellent	⚪ Challenging	⚪ Challenging

JSON-LD Example

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "Wireless Headphones",
  "description": "High-quality wireless headphones",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "99.99",
    "priceCurrency": "USD"
  }
}
</script>

Pros:

Completely separate from HTML
Easy to add, modify, or remove
No changes to existing HTML structure
Can be generated dynamically
Easy to validate and debug
Works with JavaScript frameworks

Cons:

Requires JavaScript to be parsed (not an issue for Googlebot)
Data is duplicated if not generated from source

Microdata Example

<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Product">
  <h1 itemprop="name">Wireless Headphones</h1>
  <p itemprop="description">High-quality wireless headphones</p>
  <div itemprop="offers" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Offer">
    <span itemprop="price" content="99.99">$99.99</span>
    <meta itemprop="priceCurrency" content="USD">
  </div>
</div>

Pros:

Data is tied directly to content
Ensures data matches visible content
No duplication of information

Cons:

Mixes presentation and data
Difficult to maintain and update
Changes require HTML modifications
Harder to implement in CMS
Clutters HTML code

RDFa Example

<div vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="Product">
  <h1 property="name">Wireless Headphones</h1>
  <p property="description">High-quality wireless headphones</p>
  <div property="offers" typeof="Offer">
    <span property="price" content="99.99">$99.99</span>
    <meta property="priceCurrency" content="USD">
  </div>
</div>

Pros:

Similar benefits to Microdata
Used by some government and academic sites
W3C standard

Cons:

Similar drawbacks to Microdata
Different syntax can confuse developers
Less community support
More complex than Microdata

Why JSON-LD Wins

1. Separation of Concerns

JSON-LD keeps structured data separate from your HTML. You can add, modify, or remove schema without touching your page structure.

2. Easier Implementation

Drop a script tag in your page. No need to modify existing HTML elements or add attributes throughout your content.

3. Better for Dynamic Content

JavaScript applications can easily generate JSON-LD. With Microdata, you’d need to modify rendered HTML attributes.

// Easy dynamic generation
const schema = {
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": productName,
  "price": currentPrice
};
document.querySelector('#schema').textContent = JSON.stringify(schema);

4. Simpler Maintenance

When product details change, update one JSON object instead of hunting through HTML for all the itemprop attributes.

5. Easier Validation

Paste JSON-LD into a validator without worrying about HTML context. Debug issues without inspecting complex DOM structures.

6. CMS Friendly

Most CMS platforms and plugins generate JSON-LD. It’s easier to create templates that output schema data.

7. No HTML Pollution

Your HTML stays clean and semantic without dozens of schema-specific attributes.

When to Consider Microdata

While JSON-LD is preferred, Microdata might make sense when:

You’re working with a legacy system that uses it
You need to ensure data matches visible content exactly
Your CMS generates it automatically and works well

When RDFa Might Be Used

RDFa is sometimes used in:

Government websites with specific requirements
Academic and research institutions
Systems that need compatibility with specific RDF tools

For most websites, there’s no advantage to RDFa over JSON-LD.

Migrating from Microdata to JSON-LD

If you’re currently using Microdata:

Step 1: Document Current Schema

Extract all the structured data from your Microdata attributes.

Step 2: Convert to JSON-LD

Translate the data into JSON-LD format:

<!-- Before: Microdata -->
<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article">
  <h1 itemprop="headline">Article Title</h1>
  <span itemprop="author">John Doe</span>
</div>

<!-- After: JSON-LD -->
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "Article Title",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "John Doe"
  }
}
</script>

Step 3: Validate

Test with Google Rich Results Test.

Step 4: Deploy and Monitor

Remove old Microdata attributes after confirming JSON-LD works.

Combining Formats

While not recommended, you can technically use multiple formats on the same page. Google will read all of them. However, this creates maintenance overhead and potential inconsistencies.

Best Practice: Stick to JSON-LD exclusively.

Generate JSON-LD Schema

Use our free JSON-LD Schema Generator to create properly formatted structured data. We support all major schema types:

Conclusion

JSON-LD is the clear winner for structured data implementation. Google recommends it, developers prefer it, and it’s easier to maintain.

Unless you have a specific legacy requirement, always choose JSON-LD for new implementations. If you’re currently using Microdata or RDFa, consider migrating to JSON-LD for easier long-term maintenance.

The separation of structured data from HTML is a fundamental advantage that makes JSON-LD the most practical choice for modern websites.

Need help implementing or migrating your structured data? I can help you convert from Microdata to JSON-LD and optimize your schema markup. Get in touch for assistance.