HowTo Schema Generator
Build HowTo JSON-LD for step-by-step content. Includes steps, tools, supplies, and total time. Validates against Google HowTo rich result requirements.
Technical SEO Intelligence
HowTo markup gets your steps shown directly in search results.
HowTo rich snippets display your step list below your main result: often with step images. Requires name and at least one step. Optional but recommended: image, totalTime, tool, supply.
Build your schema
Fields
Fill in required fields marked with *
Awaiting input
Generated JSON-LD
Paste in <head>
How to deploy
- Copy the generated JSON-LD above.
- Paste it inside a
<script type="application/ld+json">...</script>tag inside the<head>of the relevant page. - Verify with Google's Rich Results Test.
- Google crawls and processes new schema within days: monitor appearance in Search Console's Rich Results report.
Next steps
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Frequently asked questions
What is HowTo schema?
Markup for step-by-step guides. Previously enabled rich results in Google; mostly deprecated 2023 but still parsed by AI engines.
Did Google remove HowTo rich results?
Yes for most sites in 2023. The schema is still valid and valuable for AI engines; Google may re-enable for some verticals.
What are the required fields?
name, step (array of HowToStep). Recommended: image, totalTime, supply, tool, estimatedCost.
How to format each step?
HowToStep with
name (short title) and text (instruction). Optional: image and url (fragment anchor).What is HowToSupply vs HowToTool?
Supply is consumed (ingredients, materials). Tool is used but not consumed (knife, hammer). Important distinction for cooking and DIY content.
Can I have substeps?
Yes. HowToStep can contain HowToDirection and HowToTip for nested detail.
How is HowTo different from Recipe?
Recipe is a specialised HowTo subtype for cooking. Has nutrition, ingredients, yield fields. Use Recipe for cooking, HowTo for everything else.
Should every how-to blog post have HowTo schema?
Only if it is genuinely step-by-step. Narrative "how I did X" posts don't qualify. Numbered steps + clear outcomes do.
Does HowTo work on video content?
Combine HowTo with VideoObject. Each step can reference a timestamp in the video.
What are totalTime and performTime?
totalTime is end-to-end (including rest / wait): performTime is active work only. ISO 8601 duration format:
PT30M for 30 minutes.Does HowTo schema help with voice search?
Yes. Smart speakers read HowTo steps aloud. Google Assistant and Alexa both parse HowTo schema.
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