HowTo Schema
HowTo schema is a Schema.org structured data type that marks up step-by-step instructional content, defining each step's name, text, image, and sequence in a machine-readable format. It enables AI systems to extract and present procedural content accurately, making how-to content highly retrievable for task-oriented AI queries. HowTo schema is particularly effective for capturing 'how do I' prompt traffic.
Why It Matters
Procedural queries ('how do I,' 'steps to,' 'how to') represent a large share of AI search volume. HowTo schema communicates the structure of instructional content explicitly, increasing retrieval probability and enabling AI systems to present your steps accurately and with attribution.
How It Works
HowTo schema is implemented as JSON-LD, defining the overall procedure with a name and description, then listing individual HowToStep entities with text and optional image. AI crawlers parse this structure and can retrieve individual steps or the complete procedure in response to relevant queries.
Use Cases
- Marking up product setup guides for AI assistant retrieval
- Structuring cooking recipes for voice search and AI query responses
- Implementing HowTo schema on technical documentation for developer AI tools
- Adding schema to DIY content for AI home improvement query retrieval
- Marking up onboarding flows so AI agents can guide users through products
Best Practices
- Define each step as a discrete, actionable instruction with a clear outcome
- Include step-level images where available to enrich schema completeness
- Keep step text concise and imperative-AI systems prefer action-oriented language
- Align schema structure exactly with visible page content
- Include supply and tool lists using the HowToSupply and HowToTool types
- Test with Google's Rich Results Test to verify schema validity
Frequently Asked Questions
Should every how-to page have HowTo schema? +
What is HowTo Schema? +
Why does HowTo Schema matter? +
Related Terms
Structure how-to content so AI can cite your steps
Use HowTo schema so AI answers can reference your instructions and track how your content appears in AI-generated answers.
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