To add review schema and star ratings to a WordPress post, use the free Review block in Ultimate Blocks. It shows a rating box with stars (or percentages) for each feature you rate, and it outputs Review structured data (JSON-LD) that search engines can use for star rating snippets. Ultimate Blocks Pro adds a pros and cons section, which is also included in the schema.
What you need #
- The free Ultimate Blocks plugin, installed and active.
- A post where you review one specific item, such as a product, book, course or app.
- Ultimate Blocks Pro only if you want the pros and cons section.
How to add the Review block #
- Open the post in the WordPress block editor.
- Click the + (Block Inserter) button, search for Review and click the block to add it.
- Fill in the review title (the name of the item you review) and the Review Author name.
- Give each feature a name and click the stars to rate it. Use Insert new review entry to add more features. The block shows the average as the overall rating.
- Add a summary title and a short summary of your verdict.
- In the Settings tab, use the Rating Format panel to choose star or percent. Optional: turn on a button in the CTA Button panel.
How to turn on review schema #
- Select the Review block and open the Review Schema panel in the Settings tab.
- Check that Enable review schema is on. It is on by default.
- Choose the Item type that matches what you review. Some types also have an Item subtype.
- Fill in the extra fields for that type (for example Brand and the offer fields for a Product).
- Fix any fields listed in the editor notice (see below), then click Update.
Supported item types #
The Item type list includes: Book, Course, CreativeWorkSeason, CreativeWorkSeries, Episode, Event, Game, LocalBusiness, MediaObject, Movie, MusicPlaylist, MusicRecording, Organization, Product and SoftwareApplication. Product is the default.
For a Product, you can also choose Include review and Include aggregate rating, and add offer details (Offer Type, Offer Currency, Offer Price, Offer Status), Shipping Details and a Return Policy.
Required vs recommended fields #
When schema is on, the block checks your fields in the editor. Fields under Missing for a valid rich result: must be filled for a valid result. Fields under Recommended for a richer result: are optional but help. The notice is visible only in the editor and goes away once the fields are filled.
| Item type | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| All types | Item name (review title), Author Name, a rating value | None |
| Product | Offer Price (when Offer Type is Offer) | Brand, Identifier |
| SoftwareApplication | Offer Price (when Offer Type is Offer) | Application Category, Operating System |
| Course | Description | Provider |
| Event | Event Venue Address (in person) or Event Page (online) | None |
| Movie | Image | None |
| LocalBusiness | Address | None |
Google’s rules for review stars #
Valid markup does not guarantee stars. Google decides when to show them, and it follows a few rules. In general terms:
- No self-serving reviews: Google does not show review stars when a business or organization reviews itself on its own site. Don’t use the LocalBusiness or Organization type to rate your own company.
- Review a specific item: the review should be about one clear product, book, course or similar item, not a whole category.
- Keep it visible and honest: the rating in the schema must match the rating readers see on the page, and the review must come from a real author.
- Don’t mark up ratings you didn’t collect: only use aggregate ratings when they really reflect ratings from users.
How to test your review schema #
- Publish or update the post and copy its URL.
- Open Google’s Rich Results Test, paste the URL and click Test URL.
- Look for Review snippets (or Product snippets for products) and fix any errors it lists.
- For a general check of the markup, use the Schema Markup Validator.
- After Google crawls the page, watch the matching report in Google Search Console.
Frequently asked questions #
Is the Review block free?
Yes. The Review block and its review schema are free in Ultimate Blocks. Pro adds a pros and cons section that is also included in the schema.
Which item type should I choose?
Choose the type that matches the thing you review, such as Product for a physical product or SoftwareApplication for an app or plugin.
Why don’t my stars show in Google?
Google decides when to show review stars. Check your page in the Rich Results Test, fill every required field and follow Google’s review guidelines.
Can I review my own business with the Review block?
You can add the review, but Google does not show stars for self-serving reviews of your own business or organization.
Can I turn off the schema and keep the rating box?
Yes. Turn off Enable review schema in the Review Schema panel. The rating box still shows on the page.
