Google BreadCrumb Errors On TP Pages

[jernatety]

Every one of my TP Pages has been flagged as being in error in Google Search Console. And I don't know why. It says it was first detected on 9/18/19 and they've all been in error since, including newly added pages.

This is the only detail I'm provided by SC to fix. "Either "name" or "item.name" should be specified"

Anybody have any idea what this means? Is it possibly the "Query Title" field on HTML articles? I use hyphens.

[lurkalot]

Did you turn on the linktree for each of those articles as advised before?

[jernatety]

Did you turn on the linktree for each of those articles as advised before?

No that's turned off because I don't want anybody seeing the "my articles" link to provide them access to searching through. Is there a way to block guests and members from seeing the link tree but still have it active?

[@rjen]

No.

[lurkalot]

Not actually sure what you mean about the "My Articles" link.  Where are you seeing this just by turning on the linktree?

[@rjen]

I just had a look at your site using the online checking tool:
https://search.google.com/structured-data/testing-tool

The problem seems to be in this piece of code

Code Select Expand


<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "http://schema.org",
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"item": {
"@id": "",
"name": ""
}
}]
}


I do not recognize that, but what I do know is that it is not coming from the TinyPortal code...

So i assume you have something (a MOD?) else causing the errors..
In my site all pages (including the TinyPortal ones) validate fine and it does not contain that code.

From what I read online it seems that the property name must have a value... you may try to change that code to state:

         "itemListElement": [{
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 1,
            "item": {
               "@id": "",
               "name": "item"
            }

[@rjen]

By the way: I just noticed that you got this exact same answer last year...
And it referred back to the Optimus MOD.
https://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=569815.msg4032523#msg4032523

I just checked it on my test site: if I suppress the Linktree in the article I get the same message, so it means Optimus does not handle the functionality well when the linktree is suppressed (I guess because in the standard forum that option does not exist).

So you may have to address your request to the Optimus MOD if they are willing to support this feature...

[lurkalot]

I just checked it on my test site: if I suppress the Linktree in the article I get the same message, so it means Optimus does not handle the functionality well when the linktree is suppressed (I guess because in the standard forum that option does not exist).

I not sure I understand the part about the linktree not existing in the standard forum. It does doesn't it? Or am I thinking of something else.

[lurkalot]

Thinking about this further. Maybe our article linktree setting should be renamed to Breadcrumbs.

[@rjen]

I not sure I understand the part about the linktree not existing in the standard forum. It does doesn't it? Or am I thinking of something else.

I was referring to the OPTION to HIDE the linktree: that does not exist in standard AFAIK

[lurkalot]

Ah, right got you. 

I still think the TP setting needs renaming though, unless that setting also does something else as well that I can't see.

[@rjen]

It really makes no difference to me: I just think we should stay close to the SMF term used, and I always thought SMF calls it a 'linktree' (although I cannot find the term in the admin panel just now)

[lurkalot]

I agree, it's not a big deal to be honest.  I do get confused with these terms, never sure if breadcrumbs are the content of the linktree, or whether a linktree is something different from a breadcrumb trail.  My head tells me SMF uses the wrong term for this function though. 

[@rjen]

I think you may be right, did some googling and linktree is much less commonly used as breadcrumb trail..

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/breadcrumbs-in-web-design-examples-and-best-practices/

[lurkalot]

I think you may be right, did some googling and linktree is much less commonly used as breadcrumb trail..

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/breadcrumbs-in-web-design-examples-and-best-practices/

Although I didn't see that page before now, I did do the google thing before I posted my thoughts, that's what led me to believe the wrong term being used.

Just looking at this TP setting,

Display linktree: show the series of links that shows your position within the site/forum.

Just cries breadcrumb trail to me. Certainly doesn't resemble a tree in its current form. lol.. 

Regarding jernatety's original question above.  I'm pretty sure he has this Linktree / breadcrumbs showing throughout the rest of his site, just doesn't want them on the articles.  I'm pretty sure not many people will click on it or use it, I rarely do to be fair.

The use of Query Title in all articles will also make things look better, I noticed the article I viewed (Clicked from a "Read More" link) wasn't using Query Title, so no page title in the url, just a page number, which is less than ideal IMO.

[@rjen]

I updated it for 2.0.0

[tino]

What TinyPortal has is a linktree.

As it's links to other sections imo.

[@rjen]

We are talking about this bit right, showing in the Articles...?

In my opinion that is 'breadcrumb navigation' since is shows where the user is in the article, following the structure of navigation Forum > Category > Child category > Article

It does not link to other (unrelated) sections in the forum.

[lurkalot]

We are talking about this bit right, showing in the Articles...?

Just in case.  Yes that's the bit I was referring to. 

If this isn't what's commonly known as Breadcrumbs, then it's strange that Google is viewing it as such. I mean turning this off on a article will result in Google Search Console sending you Breadcrumbs warnings, and if turned on then the articles pass the Breadcrumb test.

[@rjen]

Well, that's what Google does, but only when the forum is using the Optimus MOD and Optimus is set to use
JSON-LD marking for  "breadcrumbs"