Entity reference: WebSite

WebSite Schema Reference

WebSite describes a whole website. Google uses WebSite markup on the home page to understand the site name you prefer; it no longer uses it for a search box.

By SchemaReel Editorial Desk Published October 26, 2026 2 min read

Schema.org type: WebSite
Hierarchy: Thing > CreativeWork > WebSite
Google Search feature: Site names, home page only (Google). The sitelinks search box was retired in November 2024 (Search Central updates log).
Status checked: October 26, 2026

Properties worth knowing

WebSite properties used on casino and sportsbook sites
Property	Expects	Use it for	Google documentation
`name`	Text	The site name you prefer Google to show.	Required for site names
`url`	URL	The canonical home page URL.	Required for site names
`alternateName`	Text	A shorter or alternative name, in order of preference.	Recommended for site names
`publisher`	Organization	The organization behind the site, by @id.	Not listed
`inLanguage`	Text	The site language as a BCP 47 code, such as en-US.	Not listed
`potentialAction`	SearchAction	Was used for the sitelinks search box. Google no longer uses it.	Retired

Example

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebSite",
  "@id": "https://ledgerlane.example/#website",
  "name": "Ledger Lane Reviews",
  "alternateName": [
    "Ledger Lane",
    "LLR"
  ],
  "url": "https://ledgerlane.example/"
}

WebSite markup with alternate names. Fictional names on reserved .example domains. Local checklist: no errors or warnings.

On casino and sportsbook sites

Google says: "To indicate your site name preference, add WebSite structured data to your home page." Each separate domain or subdomain is its own website; a market folder is not. A UK site and an Ontario subdomain therefore each get a WebSite node, both naming the organization that runs them as publisher. Google does not support site names at the subdirectory level.

Mistakes to avoid

WebSite markup copied to every page with different names.
Website instead of WebSite.
Adding SearchAction to win a search box. The sitelinks search box was retired in November 2024, and its documentation removed on November 29, 2024, according to the Search Central updates log; see WebSite and SearchAction.
A name in markup that differs from the brand on the home page.

Questions

Do subpages need WebSite markup?

No. Google says WebSite structured data for site names must be on the home page, and subpages do not need it.

Should I remove old SearchAction markup?

Google said it does not need to be removed and will not be used. Remove it when you next clean up templates.

Sources

How SchemaReel chooses, reads and dates its sources is set out on the data sources page.

Google Search Central, Provide a site name to Google Search, last updated December 10, 2025.
Google Search Central, Latest Google Search documentation updates, read October 26, 2026.