Video audit rules: VideoObject, captions and thumbnails
Audit rules for video: VideoObject structured data, caption or subtitle tracks on non-decorative video elements, and the poster frame.
Video rules cover the three things a video needs beyond the file itself: structured data so a search engine knows what it is, captions so it is usable without sound, and a poster frame so the box is not blank while it buffers. The caption and poster checks read HTML video elements only, so a page whose video is an embedded iframe reports that it has none.
Run only these rules
squirrel audit https://example.com --rule-include videoWhere to start
These carry the highest severity and weight in the category.
- VideoObject schema: video on a page with no markup for it: Without VideoObject markup a search engine cannot tell there is a video on the page. squirrel detects video elements and embeds, then checks the schema.
- Video captions: the track element and why it is required: A video with no captions excludes anyone who cannot hear it. squirrel checks every HTML video element for a caption or subtitle track.
- Video poster attribute: the frame shown before playback: A video with no poster renders as a blank box until it buffers. squirrel checks every HTML video element for the poster attribute.
Rules
| Rule | What it flags | Severity | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video captions: the track element and why it is required | A video with no captions excludes anyone who cannot hear it. squirrel checks every HTML video element for a caption or subtitle track. | warning | Per-page |
| Video poster attribute: the frame shown before playback | A video with no poster renders as a blank box until it buffers. squirrel checks every HTML video element for the poster attribute. | info | Per-page |
| VideoObject schema: video on a page with no markup for it | Without VideoObject markup a search engine cannot tell there is a video on the page. squirrel detects video elements and embeds, then checks the schema. | warning | Per-page |
Key terms
- Captions: Synchronised text of a video’s dialogue and sounds, supplied as a
<track kind="captions">file. - VideoObject schema: VideoObject structured data with name, thumbnail, upload date and duration so a video can appear in video results.
Related categories
Accessibility also checks video captions. Structured data checks the properties a VideoObject block needs.
Learn more
- Fix SEO issues with AI, the coding agent workflow for working through a report
- Website audit tool
- Sample report, with the Video section on a real site
Disable all Video rules
[rules]
disable = ["video/*"]