Three changes to Article structured data documentation relaxes Top Stories eligibility.
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Google updated its Article structured data guidelines to reflect that they dropped the AMP requirement and changed the image guidelines for Top Stories eligibility.
Three changes to the guidelines make it clear that eligibility for the top stories section that can dominate the top of the search results became accessible for more publishers.
Why Top Stories is Important
Top stories is a way for Google to feature fresh news content in the search results.
Searches on topics that are trending in the news will generate the top stories section, which surfaces at the top of the search results in sizes that can dominate the screen on mobile and desktop searches.
Screenshot of a Top Stories in Google Search
Top stories also can show lower down in the middle of the page.
Consequently, being shown in top stories is crucial to sites that publish breaking news.
Articles Structured Data Not Necessary for Top Stories
Something interesting is that Google added wording to the first paragraph of the Article structured data guidelines to note that structured data isn’t necessary to appear in top stories.
This is the new paragraph:
“Adding Article structured data to your news, blog, and sports article...
Read Full Story: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-updates-article-structured-data-guidelines/462334/
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