Who should I follow to learn about Structured Data?
Key takeaway
Martha van Berkel of Schema App is the one person named by Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Mode, and Copilot backs her company Schema App. Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Mode also point to Schema.org and Google Search Central as the core official sources. ChatGPT gave no answer. The engines treat Martha van Berkel as an authority because she leads Schema App and works on enterprise schema and knowledge graphs. They also say the standards owners, Schema.org and Google Search Central, show what is actually supported for rich results.
Mostly agree
Martha van Berkel is a leading person to follow on structured data.
Schema.org and Google Search Central are essential official resources.
Schema App is a key company to follow.
Test your markup with Google's Rich Results Test and a schema validator.
Where they differ
Which individual people to follow
People versus agencies and official sources
Whether the recommended people are schema specialists
Verdict
Martha van Berkel of Schema App is the one person named by Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Mode, and Copilot backs her company Schema App. Perplexity, Gemini and Google AI Mode also point to Schema.org and Google Search Central as the core official sources. ChatGPT gave no answer.
What engines actually searched
The sub-queries each engine actually searched before answering.
Cited, but not mentioned
1 site cites this answer without naming anyone
Full responses
5 of 5 engines that answered. Full stored text as captured, with dashes shown as hyphens. Nothing is summarised.
If you mean Structured Data for SEO/schema.org, I can give you a strong list of people to follow. Let me check the current SEO/structured-data landscape first.
Learning about structured data and schema markup requires turning to technical SEO practitioners who specialize in semantic search, knowledge graphs, and JSON-LD implementation.
The top experts, organizations, and resources to follow include:
1. Leading Independent Experts & Practitioners
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Dave Ojeda: Widely regarded by top SEOs as one of the foremost global authorities on structured data and semantic SEO. Following him on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) provides deep technical insights into complex schema implementation, entity relationships, and troubleshooting. Dave Ojeda: Schema Markup Consulting | Structured Data Consultant
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Jarno van Driel: A prominent technical SEO and schema expert who frequently shares deep dives into schema.org specifications, linked data, and how search engines interpret semantic data structures.
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Martha Van Berkel: The CEO and co-founder of Schema App. She is a powerhouse in enterprise-level structured data, schema governance, and scalable semantic strategies.
2. Industry Authorities & Companies
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Schema App Blog / Knowledge Base: Excellent for learning about enterprise schema automation, semantic optimization, and how structured data connects to knowledge graphs.
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iPullRank (Led by Mordecai Oberstein & team): Known for advanced, machine-learning-driven technical SEO and enterprise structured data strategies. Best Structured Data Experts in 2026: Top Schema Markup
3. Official Resources & Documentation
To truly master structured data, following individuals is only half the battle. You should regularly check the primary source channels:
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Google Search Central Blog & Documentation: The definitive guide on what structured data features (rich results, product markup, FAQs) Google actually supports and rewards.
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Schema.org: The official vocabulary repository maintained by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Yandex. Reading through their documentation helps you understand the foundational hierarchy of types and properties.
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Schema Markup Testing Tool & Validator.schema.org: Essential practical tools for hands-on learning, allowing you to test how search engines read your JSON-LD code. Schema Markup: Improve SEO & Search Rankings - Neil Patel
Who are you hoping to build structured data for (e.g., e-commerce, local business, SaaS), and are you looking for basic implementation guides or advanced technical tutorials?
Learning about Structured Data and Schema Markup sits at the intersection of technical SEO, semantic web standards, and increasingly, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for AI search engines. Why schema markup is the secret to AI search successSchema for AI search: Turning entity gaps into organic growth
The top experts, organizations, and resources to follow provide deep, actionable insights into structured data:
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- ** Martha van Berkel** – CEO and co-founder of Schema App, Martha is widely regarded as an industry authority on enterprise-scale schema markup and knowledge graphs. Follow her on LinkedIn or through the Schema App Blog for advanced strategies on connecting data entities. Top SEO Experts You Should Be Following: Martha van BerkelBest Structured Data Tools: 5 Powerful Solutions For Rich SnippetsBest Schema Markup Tools for Ecommerce 2026
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** Aleyda Solis** – Internationally acclaimed technical SEO consultant and founder of Orainti. She frequently shares incredible breakdowns on how structured data feeds AI answer engines and impacts technical site architecture. Follow her on LinkedIn.
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** Lily Ray** – VP of SEO and Strategy at Amsive Digital, Lily is a powerhouse on Google updates, E-E-A-T, and how structured data ties into overall site authority and trust signals.
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The OfficialSchema.org Blog – While not a single person, keeping an eye on the official vocabulary updates, releases, and discussions managed by core contributors from Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo is essential for mastering the underlying standard.
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Google Search Central Blog & Documentation – The ultimate primary source for what Google actually supports, parses, and rewards with rich results. Keep tabs on their documentation updates and use the Google Rich Results Test and Schema Markup Validator to test implementations hands-on. 9 Schema Tools for Website Publishers and Content CreatorsSchema markup generators: 11 tools for generating and testing structured data - InLinks
Are you looking to learn structured data for a specific platform (like WordPress or Shopify) , or are you trying to implement it for AI search/knowledge graph optimization? Let me know so I can point you toward the right tutorials or specific code patterns!
For SEO-focused structured data, follow Google Search Central’s documentation and Rich Results gallery, and Schema.org for vocabulary and schema types. For practical guidance, follow Martha van Berkel of Schema App, who focuses on helping SEO teams understand and use schema markup.(developers.google.com)(wix.com)
If you want to dive deep into structured data and schema markup, the best way is to follow leading experts and agencies who specialize in this field. Here are some top names and organizations worth keeping an eye on:
🌟 Individual Experts & Thought Leaders
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Eric Siu – CEO of Single Grain, frequently publishes in-depth guides on schema and structured data strategies.
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Irina Shvaya – Writer at eSEOspace, covers AI-first structured data and its role in search visibility.
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Mike King (iPullRank) – Known for advanced technical SEO and machine learning–driven structured data strategies.
🏢 Agencies & Companies Leading in Structured Data
| Agency/Expert | Best Known For |
|---|---|
| Single Grain | Overall leader in schema & AI search optimization 12 Leading Schema-Focused SEO Agencies for Structured Data |
| Schema App | Enterprise automation and knowledge graph integration 14 Best Schema Markup Implementation Companies in 2025 |
| iPullRank | Complex technical implementations and AI-driven schema strategies Best Structured Data Experts in 2026: Top Schema Markup Specialists for Rich Results and AI Search - eSEOspace |
| Merkle | Fortune 500 structured data solutions 12 Best Structured Data SEO Implementation Services in 2025 |
| eSEOspace | AI-first structured data architecture, boosting AI citation probability Best Structured Data Experts in 2026: Top Schema Markup Specialists for Rich Results and AI Search - eSEOspace |
| WebFX | Multi-platform scalability for structured data 12 Best Structured Data SEO Implementation Services in 2025 |
📚 Why Follow Them?
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They share case studies, technical tutorials, and future trends in structured data.
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Many are at the forefront of AI search visibility, ensuring your content gets cited by engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.
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They provide insights into JSON-LD, RDFa, Microdata, and schema automation at scale.
👉 If you’re just starting, I’d recommend following Single Grain for broad strategy, Schema App for enterprise-level insights, and Mike King (iPullRank) for technical deep dives.
Would you like me to suggest Twitter/LinkedIn accounts of these experts so you can start following them directly?
