> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://wiki.platelunchcollective.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Microdata

> Microdata is an HTML specification for embedding structured data within page content using HTML tag attributes — one of three formats supported by Google for...

*Technical implementation* · *Structured Data*

## Definition

Microdata is an HTML specification for embedding structured data within page content using HTML tag attributes — one of three formats supported by Google for structured data, alongside JSON-LD and RDFa. Unlike JSON-LD, microdata is embedded inline within the page's visible HTML content.

## Why It Matters for AI Search

Microdata is a legacy structured data format that Google continues to support but no longer recommends — JSON-LD is the preferred implementation. Brands using microdata for structured data should consider migrating to JSON-LD, which is easier to implement, maintain, and validate. The entity signal value of correctly implemented microdata is equivalent to JSON-LD, but the maintenance overhead is higher and error-checking tools are less robust.

## Related Terms

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="JSON-LD" href="/ai-search-glossary/json-ld" />

  <Card title="RDFa" href="/ai-search-glossary/rdfa" />

  <Card title="Structured data" href="/ai-search-glossary/structured-data" />

  <Card title="Schema markup" href="/ai-search-glossary/schema-markup" />

  <Card title="Schema.org" href="/ai-search-glossary/schemaorg" />
</CardGroup>

## Relevant Plate Lunch Collective Services

[AI SEO](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/ai-seo)  [Entity SEO](https://www.platelunchcollective.com/services/entity-seo)