Technical SEO
Review schema
Review schema uses Review and Rating structures to describe a visible evaluation of a specific eligible item.
What it means
A review identifies its author, reviewed item and rating scale; aggregate ratings summarize multiple genuine evaluations. Google supports review snippets for selected types and excludes self-serving Organization or LocalBusiness reviews controlled by the reviewed entity.
Why it matters
Accurate review structure connects evidence and a rating to one item, while fabricated, imported or hidden ratings mislead users. Syntax alone cannot verify authenticity, incentive disclosure or whether the reviewed entity is eligible.
Example
An editorial product review displays the named author, date, detailed assessment and 4-of-5 rating, then nests the same Review under the Product node. A local business does not mark up stars from its own testimonials for self-serving review snippets.
Common mistakes
Do not copy ratings from another website, use promotional text as an author name or mark up reviews users cannot see. Avoid averaging incompatible scales or adding Organization stars on the organization's own controlled page.
How AYSA handles this
Signals reviewed
Visible review text, author, rating scale, reviewed entity, review provenance
Problem AYSA can identify
AYSA can find hidden, unattributed, copied or self-serving ratings and reviews attached to the wrong item.
Recommendation prepared
The proposal retains only verifiable visible reviews and aligns item identity, author and scale with supported policies.
Approval preview
The user reviews every retained rating, its visible evidence, provenance and eligibility before approval.
Execution
AYSA can update supported WordPress review markup; it cannot manufacture or import reviews without approved provenance.
Verification
AYSA checks visible parity, rating arithmetic, item relationships and applicable review-snippet requirements.
Limits
AYSA cannot independently prove a reviewer's experience or guarantee review-star display.
Sources and further reading
- Google Search Central — Review snippet structured data — Official platform documentation
- Schema.org — Review — Vocabulary definition
- Google Search Central — General structured data guidelines — Official platform documentation
Written by Marius Dosinescu. Reviewed by AYSA SEO Editorial Team · 2026-07-28 00:00:00.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Can a local business mark up its own testimonials for Google review stars?
Google excludes self-serving LocalBusiness and Organization reviews controlled by the entity from the star review feature.
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