Structured data is code that labels the important facts on a page in a format machines can parse. The most common vocabulary is Schema.org, often published as JSON-LD in the page source.
For local businesses, structured data can identify the organization, local business type, address, phone number, service area, reviews, FAQs, articles, products, services, and breadcrumbs. It does not guarantee rankings, but it reduces ambiguity.
Why It Helps AI Visibility
AI and search systems depend on clean facts. Structured data makes important page facts explicit, which helps connect a business to its entity, services, location, and supporting content.