How should a game be typed for Google's software app result?

Definition: For Google's Software App structured data, a game should use VideoGame together with another application type in the same @type array. Google's documentation says that an object with only the VideoGame type does not produce a Software App rich result and shows MobileApplication as the additional type.

Key facts

• Google says that a Software App object with only the VideoGame type does not produce a rich result. Google's software app documentation gives the co-typing rule.
• The same documentation supports MobileApplication and WebApplication for mobile and web applications.
• Google's example puts VideoGame and MobileApplication together in the @type array.
• applicationCategory is a separate recommended property. Google lists GameApplication as a supported value for that property.
• Schema.org defines a video game as an electronic game that uses a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. Its VideoGame type page lists game-specific properties such as gamePlatform and playMode.

Why does VideoGame need another type?

Google's Software App documentation says, “Google doesn't show a rich result for Software Apps that only have the VideoGame type.” It then says to co-type VideoGame with another type so the Software App can be eligible for display as a rich result. The rule concerns the @type value, so VideoGame must share that array with the application type that describes the software form.

The page was last updated on 8 September 2026. Google also notes that the actual appearance in search results might differ and points readers to the Rich Results Test for a preview.

Which type should share VideoGame?

Google documents MobileApplication and WebApplication as supported types for mobile and web applications. Its concrete example is a mobile game:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": ["VideoGame", "MobileApplication"],
  ...
}

Use the documented co-type that matches the software form described by the page. The example establishes the array form and the placement of VideoGame beside MobileApplication. The documentation does not provide a separate code example for WebApplication.

Which game details belong in other properties?

The co-type answers what the entity is for Google's Software App feature. Other fields describe the game or its application category. Google calls applicationCategory a recommended property and says its value must be a supported app type, including GameApplication. That value belongs in applicationCategory, rather than replacing the second item in the @type array.

Schema.org's VideoGame page defines gamePlatform as the electronic systems used to play video games. It defines playMode as indicating whether a game is multi-player, co-op or single-player, and says that a game can carry those modes at the same time. These properties add game information without changing the co-typing rule.

How should you check the markup?

Google recommends validating the code with the Rich Results Test and fixing critical errors. It also recommends deploying a few pages with the structured data and using the URL Inspection tool to test how Google sees the page. The page should be accessible to Google and not blocked by a robots.txt file, a noindex tag or login requirements.

Related terms

• Which applicationCategory values does Google support for software apps?
• How can SoftwareApplication markup specify operating system requirements?
• What review or rating data does Google's software app markup require?
• What price should a free app declare in SoftwareApplication markup?

FAQ

Can VideoGame be the only value in @type?

No. Google's software app documentation says that a Software App with only VideoGame does not produce this rich result, and directs you to co-type it with another type.

Is GameApplication the second value in the @type array?

No. Google lists GameApplication as a supported value of the separate applicationCategory property. Its co-typing example uses MobileApplication in the @type array.

What should you use for a web game?

Google lists WebApplication as a supported type for web applications, while its example shows MobileApplication. The page does not show a separate web-game code example.

Sources

1. Google Search Central, "Software App (SoftwareApplication) Schema", 8 September 2026
2. Schema.org, "VideoGame", 16 September 2026

---

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