Nesting in Schema Markup: What It Is & How It Works (2025 Update)

Nesting in Schema Markup refers to the practice of structuring your markup hierarchically by grouping relevant entities under a defined main entity on a webpage. This approach helps search engines better understand relationships between different elements, improving visibility and enhancing how content appears in search results.

Why Nesting in Schema Markup Matters in 2025

With AI-driven search engines like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Bing AI advancing rapidly, structured data plays an even more critical role. Nesting Schema Markup helps in:

  • Establishing clear entity relationships for search engines.
  • Enhancing eligibility for rich results and AI-driven knowledge graphs.
  • Improving semantic SEO to align with AI-powered search advancements.

Understanding Nested Schema Markup

Main Entity

The main entity represents the core focus of the page. For instance, in a product page, the Product schema is the primary entity.

Nested Entities

These are secondary but related entities providing additional context. In a recipe page, AggregateRating (reviews) and VideoObject (tutorial videos) are common nested entities.

Example of Nested Schema Markup

This structure clarifies that the recipe includes a video tutorial and has an aggregate rating from reviews.

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “Recipe”,
“name”: “Air Fryer Chicken Wings”,
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “John Doe”
},
“aggregateRating”: {
“@type”: “AggregateRating”,
“ratingValue”: “4.8”,
“reviewCount”: “250”
},
“video”: {
“@type”: “VideoObject”,
“name”: “How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings”,
“uploadDate”: “2025-02-01”,
“contentUrl”: “https://example.com/video.mp4”
}
}

Steps to Nest Schema Markup Correctly

1. Identify the Main Entity

Determine the core entity of the page based on intent:

  • If selling a product → Product
  • If providing an informational article → Article
  • If offering a recipe → Recipe

2. Identify Related Entities

List additional relevant entities. For a Product, common related entities include Offer, AggregateRating, and Review.

3. Implement a Nested Structure

Use Schema.org properties to connect the main entity with its nested entities. Tools like Google’s Schema Markup Validator and Schema Paths Tool can help identify valid connections.

4. Validate Your Schema

Use tools like:

  • Google’s Rich Results Test – to check for eligibility for rich snippets.
  • Schema.org Validator – to identify syntax errors.

5. Maintain Schema Markup Over Time

Search engine guidelines and structured data best practices evolve. Regularly audit and update your Schema Markup to ensure compliance and avoid markup drift.

When Not to Use Nested Schema Markup

  • If entities are unrelated, they should be marked separately (e.g., a page featuring a Recipe and unrelated Event).
  • Some Schema types like BreadcrumbList should remain standalone.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Schema Nesting in 2025

As AI-powered search engines continue evolving, implementing nested Schema Markup is essential for semantic SEO. It enhances search visibility, improves content interpretation, and aligns with knowledge graphs. Regular validation and updates will ensure long-term benefits in search rankings.

Start implementing nested Schema Markup today to future-proof your SEO strategy!

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