There are constant updates and changes in technology, and Google is no different! As such, you may have come across recommendations or warnings relating to Google Search Console or Google Structured Data.
These recommendations and warnings are due to updates on Google's end. When these things happen, we take them into account and work on making updates on our end as well so we can all keep sailing smoothly! As you may be familiar, we regularly make updates to all of our themes in our catalogue.
While we can provide information for the solutions we implement via theme updates, our support cannot assist with troubleshooting these third-party issues on an individual basis.
The Google Search Console and Structured Data Testing Tool help you measure your storefront's search traffic and performance, using these tools, you can improve your storefront and search results.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console tools will help you measure your website's search traffic and performance, optimize your content, and help you get your content on Google. Google Search Console tools will also alert you when issues are discovered and need to be fixed, allowing you to understand how Google sees your pages.
Structured Data Testing Tool
The Structured Data Testing Tool is a simple data testing tool that will check your website's structured data code. The tool will check the structured data code on your website and flag any errors. The tool can also help you validate whether the structured data code on your website is in the correct format.
Errors and Warnings
When using Google Search Console or the Structured Data Testing Tool, errors and warnings may be presented in results that outline issues with your pages. While many warnings may be presented, it's best to focus on errors that indicate crucial information is missing from your website and ensure the structured data on your website is valid.
CLS Issues
Google CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) refers to a loading behavior that impacts the customer experience negatively. Learn more about CLS
Common Errors and Warnings
When using Google Search Console or the Structured Data Testing Tool, you may come across some errors and warnings that have been discovered in Out of the Sandbox themes. Below you'll find a list of the common errors and warnings found in our themes and how to eliminate them.
Parsing error
Parsing error: Missing ',' or '}'
Why was this error detected:
- This error may be shown when quotation marks have been added to product, article, and collection titles in your storefront.
How can I eliminate this error:
- This error can be eliminated by updating your theme to the latest version.
- This error can be eliminated by removing quotation marks from product, article, and collection titles.
availability
Invalid enum value in field 'availability'
Why was this error detected:
- This error may be shown when an invalid enum value is entered in the availability field.
How can I eliminate this error:
- This error can be eliminated by updating your theme to the latest version.
- More information about this error can be found in our forum post: Google Search Console presenting an "Invalid enum value in field availability" error
priceValidUntil
The priceValidUntil field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when the priceValidUntil field is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- In Shopify, it's not currently possible to define when your product price is valid until (as there is no corresponding attribute) so this warning will be presented and can be ignored.
description
The description field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when your product, collection or blog post description is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This warning can be eliminated by entering a description for your product, collection or blog post.
aggregateRating
The aggregateRating field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when the aggregateRating field is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- The aggregateRating is the average rating based on multiple ratings or reviews and as Shopify does not include an integrated rating or review system (which requires the use of an application), this warning will be presented and can be ignored.
review
The review field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when the review field is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- A review is a review of any given item and as Shopify does not include an integrated rating or review system (which requires the use of an application), this warning will be presented and can be ignored.
dateModified
The dateModified field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when the dateModified field is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This warning can be eliminated by updating your theme to the latest version.
brand
The brand field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when you have not added a vendor to your product and the "Show vendor" theme option is disabled.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This warning can be eliminated by adding a vendor to products in your storefront and enabling the "Show vendor" theme option found in the theme editor (most commonly found in the "Product" tab).
image
The image field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when you have not uploaded a product image for your product.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This warning can be eliminated by adding a product image to your product.
sku
The sku field is recommended. Please provide a value if available.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when you have not added a SKU to products in your storefront and the "Show SKU" theme option is disabled.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This warning can be eliminated by adding a SKU to products in your storefront and enabling the "Show SKU" theme option found in the theme editor (most commonly found in the "Product" tab).
itemListElement
Missing field 'position'
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when the position field for an itemListElement is empty.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- This error can be eliminated by updating your theme to the latest version.
Missing global identifier
This Product is missing a global identifier (e.g. isbn, mpn or gtin8). Please see documentation for valid identifiers.
Why was this warning detected:
- This warning may be shown when a product in your storefront is missing a global identifier.
How can I eliminate this warning:
- Global identifiers are not currently supported (due to the wide range of identifiers), however, we hope to introduce support for Global identifiers in the near future.