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Google is going to use semantic markup more in SERPs

Looks like Google is going to be getting more into the semantic web game, according to this article from the WSJ.

“Over the next few months, Google’s search engine will begin spitting out more than a list of blue Web links. It will also present more facts and direct answers to queries at the top of the search-results page.
“Google isn’t replacing its current keyword-search system, which determines the importance of a website based on the words it contains, how often other sites link to it, and dozens of other measures. Rather, the company is aiming to provide more relevant results by incorporating technology called ‘semantic search,’ which refers to the process of understanding the actual meaning of words.”

My guess is that Google will be using Schema.org markup, since that is what drives its +1 buttons for metadata, as well as potentially doing a bit of scraping/AI on existing content. Now would be a good time for all developers and content creators to evaluate how they are using semantic markup and make sure that they are up to par.

I have implemented Schema.org markup on this site through my Schema.org Twenty Eleven child theme. If you are using Twenty Eleven also, feel free to download it and start using it as well. You can read more about and download it here: Twenty Eleven Schema.org Child Theme. There is much more you can as well, specifically in adding custom and appropriate markup to individual posts/pages, but it provides a good start.

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