What is JSON-LD vs JSON?
JSON is a data-serialization format; JSON-LD is a JSON-based format for structured linked data used in SEO. JSON-LD uses JSON syntax but adds @context and @type for semantic meaning.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a general-purpose data format used everywhere — API responses, config files, browser storage. JSON-LD (JSON for Linked Data) is a specific application of JSON for embedding semantic, machine-readable metadata in web pages. Every JSON-LD document is valid JSON, but the reverse isn't true. The key additions: `@context` tells parsers which vocabulary to use (usually `https://schema.org`), and `@type` specifies what kind of thing you're describing (Article, Product, FAQPage, etc.). When you see `<script type="application/ld+json">`, that's JSON-LD specifically — Google parses it to power rich results. Use plain JSON for data exchange between systems; use JSON-LD when search engines or knowledge graphs need to understand your content.