How to Fix the "Missing field url (optional)" Warning in VideoObject Schema
author property in your Google Search Console VideoObject schema, you need to update your JSON-LD code. Locate the "author" block in your website's HTML and add the "url" parameter pointing to your homepage or author profile directly below the author's name.
If you are embedding videos on your blog to capture active search intent and build brand attention, you likely use VideoObject schema (JSON-LD) to help search engines understand your content.
When running a Live Test in Google Search Console, you might see a successful result—such as "valid items detected"—but accompanied by a non-critical warning: Missing field "url" (optional) under the author property.
While your videos are still eligible for Google Search's rich results without it, ignoring optional fields leaves SEO value on the table. Here is exactly why you should fix it and the simple steps to do so on platforms like Blogger.
[toc]Why Fix an "Optional" Schema Warning?
Even though Google categorizes the author URL as optional, providing it directly impacts your site's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).
- Entity Resolution: It helps search engines explicitly connect the video content to you as a recognized digital entity or creator.
- Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): AI search engines prefer highly structured, complete data. Supplying the exact URL ensures AI overviews accurately cite your official website or profile when referencing your insights.
- Future-Proofing: What is "optional" in Google Search Console today frequently becomes "recommended" or "required" in future algorithm updates.
Step-by-Step Guide: Adding the Author URL in Blogger
This fix is straightforward and requires zero background in complex coding. You just need to update a few lines in your existing JSON-LD script.
Step 1: Open Your HTML Editor
Log into your Blogger dashboard, navigate to the specific post containing the video, and switch your view from "Compose view" to "HTML view".
Step 2: Locate Your VideoObject Schema
Scroll through your HTML to find the <script type="application/ld+json"> block that contains your VideoObject data. Look for the specific section defining the author.
Step 3: Add the URL Parameter
Insert a comma after your name, and add the "url" line pointing to your official website or author bio page.
| ❌ Before Code (Triggers Warning) | ✅ After Code (Fully Optimized) |
|---|---|
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Anup Ain"
}
|
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Anup Ain",
"url": "https://ainanup.blogspot.com/"
}
|
Step 4: Save and Verify in Google Search Console
Click the orange Update button in your Blogger editor to save the changes.
Once saved, return to your Google Search Console tab and click TEST LIVE URL. When the test completes, expand the Detected items section. The "Missing field url" warning will be gone, and your VideoObject schema will be fully optimized and error-free.
Key Takeaways
- Optional Doesn't Mean Unimportant: While videos can still get rich results without the author URL, ignoring this warning leaves valuable E-E-A-T signals on the table.
- Boosts Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): Providing your exact URL helps AI overviews and traditional search engines explicitly connect the video content to you as a verified digital entity.
- Simple Code Fix: Resolving the warning requires zero coding experience. It only takes adding one line (
"url": "https://ainanup.blogspot.com/") to the JSON-LD"author"block in your Blogger HTML view. - Instant Verification: You can immediately confirm the fix by running the "Test Live URL" feature in Google Search Console, ensuring your VideoObject schema is 100% optimized.
π§ Quick Check: Did you master this SEO fix?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I have to fix the "missing field url (optional)" warning?
While your videos can still appear in Google's rich results without it, fixing this warning is highly recommended. Adding the author URL strengthens your site's E-E-A-T signals and helps AI search engines properly cite you as the original creator.
Where should the author URL point to in VideoObject schema?
The author URL should point to a page that clearly represents the creator. This is typically your website's homepage (like https://ainanup.blogspot.com/), a dedicated "About Me" page, or your official author profile.
How do I test if my VideoObject schema is correct?
You can verify your schema by using the URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console or Google's Rich Results Test. Simply enter your post's live URL, run a test, and check the "Detected items" section to ensure all fields are valid.
Does this schema fix require coding experience?
Not at all! On platforms like Blogger, you only need to switch to the HTML view and insert a single line of text with your website link directly into your existing JSON-LD script.
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