Microdata is a way to provide additional information about web content using a specific format. It helps search engines understand the context of the data on a webpage, making it easier to display relevant information in search results. This structured data is often used to enhance the visibility of content, such as articles, products, or events. By using microdata, web developers can mark up elements like name, address, and date within their HTML. This structured approach allows search engines like Google to better interpret the content, potentially leading to richer search results, such as featured snippets or knowledge panels.