How can dataset markup describe measured variables and methods?

Definition: Dataset markup describes a dataset and its metadata in structured data. In Google's Dataset documentation, variableMeasured names what the dataset measures, while measurementTechnique describes the technique, technology, or methodology used.

Key facts

• Google's Dataset structured data documentation, updated 8 September 2026, describes dataset metadata as information about what a dataset is about, which variables it measures, and who created it.
• Google defines variableMeasured as the variable that the dataset measures, with temperature and pressure as examples.
• Google defines measurementTechnique as the technique, technology, or methodology used in a dataset, and says it can correspond to the variables in variableMeasured.
• Schema.org's variableMeasured definition allows repeated values expressed as text, PropertyValue, or StatisticalVariable.
• Schema.org's measurementTechnique definition accepts text or a URL and includes DefinedTerm and MeasurementMethodEnum among its expected value types.

What does each property describe?

Google separates dataset metadata from the data values themselves. Its documentation says metadata can state which variables a dataset measures, while the metadata does not contain specific values for those variables. variableMeasured therefore identifies the measured subject, such as temperature or pressure, rather than a reading from a row in the dataset.

measurementTechnique records how the measurement is made. Google gives it the value type Text or URL, and says the method can correspond to the variable or variables described in variableMeasured. The relationship can be expressed in JSON-LD like this:

{
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "variableMeasured": "molecule concentration",
  "measurementTechnique": "mass spectrometry"
}

The example uses values shown in Schema.org's measurementTechnique definition, which gives molecule concentration and mass spectrometry as a variable and method pair.

Which value forms are available?

Google's Dataset property reference lists variableMeasured as Text or PropertyValue. A text value is suitable for a plain variable name. PropertyValue supplies a structured identifier and description, and Schema.org also names StatisticalVariable as an explicit form for a measured variable.

Schema.org's variableMeasured definition says the property can be repeated. Its measurementTechnique definition lists Text, URL, DefinedTerm, and MeasurementMethodEnum as expected value types. That page also says that when several variableMeasured properties are recorded for one data object, a PropertyValue can be used for each variable with the corresponding measurement technique.

Google marks both properties as proposed and pending standardization at Schema.org. The Google page recommends sharing feedback about them with the Schema.org community.

How can you validate this markup?

Google's structured data workflow says to validate markup with the Rich Results Test. It also recommends testing deployed pages with URL Inspection and checking that the page is accessible to Google and is not blocked by robots.txt, a noindex tag, or login requirements.

Google recommends limiting textual properties to 5000 characters or less and says Dataset Search uses only the first 5000 characters of any textual property. Keep the values concise enough that the variable or method remains in that documented range.

Related terms

• Dataset structured data
• DataCatalog structured data
• Structured data
• Can structured data replace visible page content?

FAQ

Is variableMeasured a measured value?

No. Google's Dataset documentation places the property in dataset metadata and distinguishes that metadata from specific values for the variables. Use it to name what the dataset measures.

Can measurementTechnique be a URL?

Yes. Google lists Text or URL for the property, and Schema.org includes URL among its expected value types.

Can one dataset describe several variables and methods?

Yes. Schema.org says variableMeasured can be repeated and describes using a PropertyValue for each variable with the corresponding measurementTechnique.

Sources

1. Google Search Central, "Dataset structured data", updated 8 September 2026
2. Schema.org, "variableMeasured", 16 September 2026
3. Schema.org, "measurementTechnique", 16 September 2026

---

Check how a page reads to answer engines. Open the GEO score analyzer