Pros or Cons of adding Schema Markup via HTML or through Webmaster Data Highlighter

[TP_Marketing]

Hello,

I am in the process of adding schema to a site that I am working on,, are there advantages or disadvantages to adding via html on site or through webmaster tools?

Thank You

[OlegKorneitchouk]

Advantage to doing it via HTML: picked up by all search engines, not just Google.

Don't think there is an advantage over doing it through GWT.. except that it might be easier to use for the less technically inclined.

[TP_Marketing]

Have you ever used something like this for adding via html http://schema-creator.org/ or are you just pulling the code from schema.org and adding directly to your sites?

[OlegKorneitchouk]

Yeah, that tool simplifies schema.org examples. Just enter the info into it, see how the HTML should look, then copy/paste/edit it to match your websites HTML.

[Travis_Bailey]

If I remember correctly, GWT Highlighter outputs HTML with Schema once all of the highlighting is done.

[TP_Marketing]

Travis,

So I would be okay strictly using GWT Highlighter for Schema and it would cover me for the other engines  as well? Is there any way to view it after adding just to verify, http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/richsnippets does't seem to work.

TY!

[Travis_Bailey]

Once you are done highlighting and selecting the type of data, you will need to click the red 'create HTML' button and add it to the page. When that's done, you should be able to see the verified markup with the rich snippet tool.

You have the correct URL for the tool, so you may not have added the marked up HTML to your page.

[TP_Marketing]

When using the GWT it only allows you to publish, I do not see anything that shows create "HTML"

[Travis_Bailey]

That option is initially unavailable until you start highlighting elements (Name, etc.). The button will change from muted/grey to red in the top right of the highlighting tool.

Here's something a little more visual.

[TP_Marketing]

Thanks Travis!

Sorry to bug you again, looking at the tags (in this case the dates, venue and addresses) are dynamic. How can I add schema markup to them and show the changing event times? The site has a larger number of events per page.

Thanks again

[Travis_Bailey]

I'm going to go with what may be the least amount of hassle to you, in relation to the CMS I'm most familiar with.

My example depends on what CMS/Framework you're using and if you enter the data manually, or if it's just being pulled in via some kind of API/Feed... what have you. Which it sounds like the latter is the case.

My use case is WordPress and manual data entry. It shouldn't take an experienced WP dev long to write a plugin for a single Schema type (Local Business - Event, etc.). It sounds lazy, but if you're not terribly comfortable with HTML - that alone would be a time saver.

However, if you're pulling these events in via some RSS Feed or API, that will likely require more dev time. The latter being the most dev time of all, even provided adequate documentation.

In any case, you wouldn't be able to get there without some amount of developer time/involvement. As far as I know, there isn't a plugin that handles your particular use case as I understand it.

Also, if you are using WordPress and you're using a plugin to pull in this feed - it could be about as time consuming as the second option. Plus, there's the added hassle of making a plugin work with a plugin. That wouldn't be the best idea either, but then again - sometimes my estimates are off.

Long story short, you will more than likely have to consult a developer on this one.

[DaveSottimano]

Hmm, not sure about that, I've just tested it and it doesn't. Thinking about it for a second, Google would need access to your site to do that  Would be awesome though.

[Travis_Bailey]

My apologies, it's been a while on this thread. Just tested what, and it doesn't what? What site? What would be awesome?