Google Sunsets COVID-19 Special Announcements Schema

Google Retires COVID-19 Special Announcements Structured Data

Google has announced the deprecation of its COVID-19 SpecialAnnouncements structured data, starting now and fully phasing it out by July 31, 2025. This schema markup was introduced in April 2020 to help communicate critical pandemic-related information.

Background on SpecialAnnouncements

The SpecialAnnouncements schema was initially a beta feature designed specifically for COVID-19 related updates. While it briefly allowed local businesses to share adjusted store hours, its primary focus remained pandemic information. It never graduated from beta status to become an officially supported structured data type.

Previously, businesses could submit special announcements via structured data or Google Search Console.

Websites currently using the SpecialAnnouncements schema won't experience any negative effects. However, the markup will no longer influence Google Search results.

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

Special announcement (SpecialAnnouncement) structured data (BETA)