How to create HowTo schema
- Enter the title and a short description of the task.
- Add the total time in minutes, and comma-separated lists of supplies and tools.
- Add each step with a short title, clear instructions and, optionally, an image URL.
- Copy the JSON-LD and add it to the page that shows the same steps.
About HowTo markup
HowTo schema describes a series of steps for completing a task, such as repotting a plant, changing a tyre or setting up software. Each step becomes a HowToStep with a position, name and text; supplies and tools become HowToSupply and HowToTool. Total time is written in ISO 8601 duration format, so 20 minutes becomes PT20M.
Google retired How-to rich results in 2023, so the markup no longer produces special result layouts in Google Search. It remains valid schema.org, is used by other search engines, voice assistants and AI systems to understand procedural content, and does no harm. If your guide is a recipe, use Recipe schema instead, which still powers rich results.
Only mark up steps that appear on the page, and keep the order identical. Generation happens in your browser.
FAQ
Where do I add HowTo schema?
Paste the JSON-LD script into the HTML of the page it describes, usually in the head. Most CMSs and SEO plugins have a field or block for custom code.
Will HowTo schema guarantee rich results?
No. Valid markup makes a page eligible, but Google decides per search whether to show a rich result. Check Search Console for errors and eligibility.
Is HowTo schema still useful?
It no longer creates rich results in Google, but it is valid structured data that other search engines and AI tools can use to understand step-by-step content.