schema.org/HowToRich result eligible
HowTo schema
A procedure with ordered steps, each step matching a step the page actually renders.
Where to use it
Tutorials, generators, procedural documentation.
A complete example
Valid as written, with every required property and the recommended ones that carry real information.
how-to.json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "HowTo",
"name": "Acme Reference",
"step": [
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 1,
"name": "Add the tag",
"text": "Add the canonical link element."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"position": 2,
"name": "Verify",
"text": "Fetch the page and read the href."
}
],
"totalTime": "PT30M",
"tool": [
{
"@type": "HowToTool",
"name": "curl"
}
],
"supply": [
{
"@type": "HowToSupply",
"name": "A deployed site"
}
],
"description": "A one sentence description that restates its own subject."
}Properties
| Property | Status |
|---|---|
name | Required |
step | Required |
totalTime | Recommended |
tool | Recommended |
supply | Recommended |
description | Recommended |
The three mistakes this type attracts
- 01Step text that does not match the visible steps on the page.
- 02Using HowTo for a list that is not a procedure.
- 03Omitting position, leaving step order ambiguous.
Related types
Where this appears in the playbook
- Structured data: what each type is for and which ones earned their place.
- The schema graph: composing types into one graph with stable identifiers.
- One JSON-LD script per page, holding one @graph
- Stable @id anchors that cross-reference rather than duplicate
- Optional fields are omitted, never emitted as empty strings
Questions
What is the HowTo schema type for?
A procedure with ordered steps, each step matching a step the page actually renders. Use it on: tutorials, generators, procedural documentation.
Which HowTo properties are required?
HowTo requires 2 properties: name, step. It also recommends 4: totalTime, tool, supply, description.
Does HowTo produce a rich result?
HowTo is eligible for a Google rich result when its required properties are present and valid. A validation error therefore has a visible cost in the search result itself.
What is the most common HowTo mistake?
The most common HowTo mistake is: Step text that does not match the visible steps on the page.