Google Adds Certification Markup for Products: What It Means for You

If you’re selling products online, there’s an important new update from Google that you need to know about. Starting in April 2025, Google will be replacing the old EnergyConsumptionDetails type with a new and improved Certification type for merchant listings. Let’s break down what this change means and how it could affect your product listings.

What Is Certification Markup?

If you’ve ever seen product details in Google search results, you might have noticed how sometimes specific certifications—like energy ratings or safety certifications—are listed right there. This is thanks to what’s called structured data markup—a way for merchants to add detailed information about their products so that Google can easily show it to customers in search results.

Certification markup allows you to show specific certifications for your product, like “Energy Star certified” for electronics or “Fair Trade” for clothing. These details make it easier for customers to understand the quality or standards your product meets.

What’s Changing?

Google is adding support for Certification markup in their product structured data. This means:

• Starting in April 2025, the current EnergyConsumptionDetails type will be replaced by the Certification type.
• This new type can cover more countries and a broader range of certifications beyond just energy consumption.

Why Is Google Making This Change?

Google’s move to add Certification markup is about making things better and more inclusive:

1. Broader Scope: The new Certification type can cover a wider variety of certifications, not just energy consumption. This includes things like safety certifications, environmental certifications, and more.
2. More Countries: The old EnergyConsumptionDetails type was limited in scope—it didn’t apply in all countries or for all types of certifications. The new Certification type will work for more regions, which means more sellers and customers can benefit from it.

How Does This Affect You?

If you’re a merchant selling products online, this update can be a great opportunity:

• More Certifications to Highlight: You can now add more types of certifications to your product listings, helping customers understand why your product stands out.
• Better Visibility: Using the new Certification markup properly could mean better visibility for your products in search results. Imagine someone searching for an eco-friendly washing machine—if your product has a certification for being environmentally friendly, showing this in your product listing makes it more likely that they’ll choose yours over a competitor’s.

Examples of Certification Markup in Action:

• Electronics: Let’s say you’re selling a refrigerator. Previously, you could list its energy consumption details, but now you can also show that it’s Energy Star certified.
• Food Products: If you’re selling organic coffee, you can use Certification markup to show it’s Certified Organic or Fair Trade. This information will help customers understand that your product meets certain quality or ethical standards.
• Building Materials: If you’re selling sustainable construction products, you can add Green Building certification. This helps builders who are looking for eco-friendly materials find your products more easily.

How to Prepare for This Change:

• Check Your Current Structured Data: If you’re already using EnergyConsumptionDetails, you’ll need to update your product markup to the new Certification type before April 2025.
• Expand Your Certifications: Look into the different certifications your products already have. Adding these to your structured data can help your listings stand out in Google search results.

Why This Matters for Your Business:

This change is about helping customers make informed choices. Today’s consumers care more about the certifications behind the products they buy—they want to know that what they’re buying is safe, eco-friendly, or ethically produced. By adding Certification markup to your listings, you make it easier for them to trust your products.

For example, if you’re selling a laptop that is TCO Certified (meaning it’s produced in a sustainable and ethical way), adding this certification can boost customer confidence and improve your chances of a sale.

Final Thoughts:

Google’s introduction of the Certification markup is all about making product information clearer and more trustworthy. For merchants, it’s a great chance to showcase the standards and certifications that set your products apart.

By getting ready for this change now—understanding what certifications your products have and updating your product listings—you can make sure your products stand out to customers who care about quality, sustainability, and ethics.