Google updates return policy structured data requirements for merchant listings

Google has updated its documentation for merchant listing structured data, specifically focusing on return policy parameters. The change, announced on March 14, 2025, adds the returnPolicyCountry parameter to the return policy examples in Google's documentation.

According to Google's update, the returnPolicyCountry parameter is now required for the MerchantReturnPolicystructured data. This means e-commerce websites must include this parameter in their product markup to remain compliant with Google's structured data requirements.

This update represents a technical clarification rather than an entirely new feature. The parameter was already part of the structured data specification, but Google has now emphasized its mandatory status by updating the examples in their documentation to explicitly include it.

For merchants and e-commerce site owners, this change requires ensuring that all product pages with return policy information include the country code to which the return policy applies. The parameter uses the two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code formatting, allowing merchants to specify up to 50 countries.

The MerchantReturnPolicy structured data helps Google understand and display return policy information in search results, enabling consumers to see details about return windows, fees, and eligible countries before clicking through to product pages.

This update is part of Google's ongoing refinement of structured data requirements for merchant listings, which aim to provide more comprehensive and accurate product information in search results. By clearly specifying the geographic applicability of return policies, Google can better match products to users based on their location.

E-commerce sites should review their structured data implementation to ensure compliance with this updated requirement, as proper implementation directly affects how product information appears in Google Search results.