Rich results requirements by type

The required and recommended properties Google documents for each rich result, the rules this validator enforces. "Required" means Google says the item is not eligible without it.

Type	Required	Recommended	Status
Article / NewsArticle / BlogPosting Google docs · example	none listed	`headlineimagedatePublisheddateModifiedauthor`	active
Product (snippet) Google docs · example	`name`one of `offersreviewaggregateRating`	`imagedescriptionbrandskuoffersaggregateRatingreview`	active
Product (merchant listing) Google docs · example	`nameimageoffers`	`descriptionbrandgtinskuaggregateRatingreview`	active
Offer Google docs · example	one of `pricepriceSpecification`	`priceCurrencyavailabilityurl`	active
Review Google docs · example	`authorreviewRatingreviewRating.ratingValue`	`datePublished`	active
AggregateRating Google docs · example	`ratingValue`one of `ratingCountreviewCount`	–	active
Recipe Google docs · example	`nameimage`	`authordatePublisheddescriptionrecipeIngredientrecipeInstructionsrecipeYieldprepTimecookTimetotalTimerecipeCategoryrecipeCuisinekeywordsnutrition.caloriesaggregateRatingvideo`	active
Event Google docs · example	`namestartDatelocation`	`descriptionendDateeventStatuseventAttendanceModeimageoffersorganizerperformer`	active
LocalBusiness (and subtypes) Google docs · example	`nameaddress`	`urltelephonegeoopeningHoursSpecificationpriceRangeimage`	active
Organization Google docs · example	none listed	`nameurllogosameAsdescriptionaddresscontactPointtelephoneemaillegalName`	active
BreadcrumbList Google docs · example	`itemListElement`	–	active
ListItem (in a breadcrumb) Google docs · example	`positionname`	–	active
VideoObject Google docs · example	`namethumbnailUrluploadDate`	`descriptioncontentUrlembedUrldurationexpiresinteractionStatisticregionsAllowed`	active
JobPosting Google docs · example	`titledescriptiondatePostedhiringOrganizationhiringOrganization.name`one of `jobLocationjobLocationType`	`validThroughemploymentTypebaseSalaryidentifierdirectApply`	active
SoftwareApplication Google docs	`name`one of `offers.priceoffers.priceSpecification`one of `aggregateRatingreview`	`applicationCategoryoperatingSystem`	active
QAPage Google docs	`mainEntity`	–	active
FAQPage Google docs · example	`mainEntity`	–	retired
Question (in FAQPage) Google docs · example	`nameacceptedAnsweracceptedAnswer.text`	–	retired

Merchant listing requirements also cover shipping and return details in Merchant Center; only the on-page properties are listed. Nested paths such as reviewRating.ratingValue are checked on the nested object.

Three tools, three questions

	Google Rich Results Test	Schema Markup Validator	StructuredValidator
Question it answers	Can this page earn a Google rich result?	Is this valid schema.org?	What is wrong, why, and how do I fix it?
Renders JavaScript	Yes (Googlebot)	Fetches URL	No (server HTML or pasted code)
Types covered	Google features only	All of schema.org	Google features plus common schema.org types
Explains fixes	Error names	Error names	Plain-English fixes, line marks, optional AI rewrite
Final word on Google eligibility	Yes	No	No

A practical order: fix syntax and obvious mistakes here while you edit, confirm in the Rich Results Test before publishing, then watch the enhancement reports in Search Console. The Schema Markup Validator is the one to use for types Google has no feature for.

Required isn't the finish line

Google's docs are explicit that meeting the requirements makes a page eligible, and that it does not guarantee a rich result. Markup must also describe content visible on the page and follow the general structured data guidelines: no marking up hidden content, no fake reviews, no misleading prices.

Required vs recommended: flip the properties

This runs the same engine as the validator. Switch properties on and see which rule fires.

errorProduct snippet: not eligibleMerchant listing: not eligible

error Product snippet needs one of: offers, review, aggregateRating
warning Product snippet: 7 recommended properties missing
warning Merchant listing: 1 recommended property missing

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "Trailhead 28L Daypack"
}

Questions

What is the Rich Results Test?

Google's own tool at search.google.com/test/rich-results. It renders a URL or code with Googlebot and reports which Google rich results the page is eligible for. It is the authority for Google features; StructuredValidator is an independent checker that explains problems and tracks the same documented requirements.

Rich Results Test vs Schema Markup Validator: which should I use?

Both, for different questions. The Rich Results Test answers "can this earn a Google feature?". The Schema Markup Validator (validator.schema.org) answers "is this valid schema.org?" for every type, including ones Google ignores.

Why does the Rich Results Test show fewer items than my markup has?

It only reports types that map to a Google feature. An Organization or a WebPage entity is valid but may not appear in its list.

Where do these requirements come from?

Each row links to the Google Search Central documentation page it was taken from. Google updates these pages; the linked page wins if anything here disagrees.