Google has announced another structured data clean up. This time it affects three areas that many websites still use without understanding their actual purpose: Practice Problem markup, Dataset markup, and Book actions. The update looks small on the surface, but it sends a bigger message. Google is simplifying what appears in search and is pruning features that do not drive consistent user value.
Here is the entire update explained in simple English and with practical guidance.
What Google Just Announced
1. Practice Problem structured data is now deprecated
Google has added a deprecation notice to this markup.
By January 2026, it will disappear completely from:
• Search Console rich result reports
• Rich Result Test
• Search appearance filters
The Search Console API will still recognise it until January 2026.
2. Dataset structured data is no longer used in Google Search
It will remain supported only in Dataset Search, which is a niche product mainly used by researchers, data analysts, and academic institutions.
3. Book actions markup is not deprecated
Google removed the earlier deprecation label.
There is still a feature using it in Google Search.
In short, Google is cleaning its cupboard.
Why Google Is Removing These Structured Data Types
Google is simplifying search results.
Most users were not benefiting consistently from these features.
Some were misused.
Some were too niche.
Some created more clutter than clarity.
Here is the simplest explanation of each.
Practice Problems
This markup was mostly used by learning apps and edtech platforms.
But engagement was low.
Students did not come to Google Search to solve problems.
They go to YouTube or learning apps.
So Google is shutting this down.
Dataset Markup
Dataset markup never became mainstream.
It was important for researchers, but general Google Search did not benefit.
Google now limits it to Dataset Search, which is where it belongs.
Book Actions
Google keeps this because book previews and purchase links still help users and publishers.
This is Google telling the industry:
Stop adding every possible schema you find in the documentation.
Use only what directly improves user experience in search.
Who Is Affected By This Update
1. Edtech Platforms
Especially those that used practice problems with structured data to appear in search with quiz style elements.
These will no longer appear in rich results.
2. Educational Publishers In India
NCERT solution websites, JEE prep sites, State board sites, learning apps, exam portals.
Many of them used practice problem markup.
3. Data Heavy Websites
Academic institutions, think tanks, research portals, and government datasets that relied on Dataset markup hoping for better search visibility.
4. Publishers Using Book Actions
They remain safe.
This feature still works.
What Happens To Your Search Traffic Now
Practice Problems
No more rich results.
Traffic from questions and quizzes may reduce if your CTR was based on rich formatting.
However, rankings will not drop because ranking and rich results are separate systems.
Dataset Pages
No direct change because Dataset markup was never used heavily in Google Search.
Your presence in Dataset Search remains.
Book Pages
Your existing Book actions remain supported.
This is a visibility change, not a ranking punishment.
The Bigger Message From Google
Google is gradually removing niche structured data types that:
• Do not help the average user
• Create confusion
• Add maintenance load
• Encourage misuse
• Overcomplicate search results
This is part of Google’s larger strategy to simplify search and reduce noise.
The same trend is visible with recipe restrictions, review schema strictness, and removal of FAQ rich results.
Google wants clean, essential markup.
Not decorative markup.
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