Has MicroData Target reports whether the Microdata attribute itemprop="target" appears in a page’s rendered body HTML, returning 1 when the literal double-quoted string is present and 0 when it is not. It is a text-pattern check on the markup, not a validation that the underlying Microdata item graph is correct.
| Factor ID | RG-SCM-043 |
|---|---|
| Family | Structured Data – Microdata |
| Measurement | Binary presence (0 / 1) |
| Measured zone | Rendered body HTML with scripts removed |
What it measures
This factor reports whether RankGear finds the Microdata attribute itemprop="target" in the rendered body after script elements are removed. In Microdata, target names the action target or entry point of an action — for example, the URL an EntryPoint resolves to on an item such as a SearchAction. The factor tracks only the presence of that property in the markup; it relates to the page’s use of action-oriented Microdata within a measured result set rather than making the page rank.
How RankGear measures it
RankGear performs a case-insensitive search for the literal double-quoted form itemprop="target" in the rendered body HTML after scripts are removed. It returns 1 when at least one match exists and 0 otherwise. The match must be contiguous — the attribute name, equals sign, double quotes, and property value with no inserted spacing.
What RankGear looks for
<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/SearchAction">
<link itemprop="target" href="https://example.com/search?q={query}">
<meta itemprop="query-input" content="required name=query">
</div>| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | The exact string itemprop="target" was found at least once in the script-stripped body HTML. |
| 0 | No contiguous, double-quoted itemprop="target" was found (including markup that uses single quotes or extra spacing). |
How to optimize it
Treat this as an observation of how you mark up actions, not a target to chase for its own sake. Use target only as part of an accurate action target or entry point for a genuine action, and keep its value aligned with visible content and the vocabulary expected by its parent item type. If your page legitimately describes an action, expressing its target with clean, double-quoted Microdata will register here; adding the attribute where no real action exists adds no value and risks invalid structured data.
Important considerations
- The detector pattern-matches HTML text instead of parsing or validating a Microdata item graph.
- It requires the attribute name, equals sign, double quotes, and property value to be contiguous; single quotes or added spacing do not match.
- Scripts are removed before matching, and capitalization does not affect detection.
- Validate the parent item type, property value, nesting, and structured-data eligibility independently — a match here does not confirm the Microdata is correct or eligible.
- Presence of this attribute correlates with, and does not cause, ranking position; it is one prioritization signal within a measured result set, never a guarantee.
Related factors
Part of the Factors reference · how RankGear measures · glossary.