Google Sunsets COVID-19 Special Announcement Schema

Google has announced the deprecation of its COVID-era Special Announcements structured data, with support fully ending by July 31, 2025. The announcement was quietly posted on the SpecialAnnouncement structured data documentation page.

Special Announcement Structured Data Explained

Introduced in April 2020, this schema markup allowed websites to highlight critical information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While initially intended for pandemic-related updates, it briefly expanded to include local business hour changes, facilitating communication with Google even without guaranteeing rich results.

Interestingly, this structured data remained in beta throughout its lifespan, meaning it was subject to change and never formally integrated as an official schema type.

Submitting Special Announcements

There were two primary methods for submitting special announcements: via structured data markup and through Google Search Console.

Impact on Websites

Websites currently using the Special Announcement structured data will not experience any negative consequences by leaving it in place. However, after the sunset date, it will cease to have any impact on Google Search results.

Learn More

For further details, refer to Google's official announcement:

Special announcement (SpecialAnnouncement) structured data (BETA)

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