SEO for Solos
schema.org/VideoObjectRich result eligible

VideoObject schema

A video, with its duration and thumbnail.

Where to use it

Pages embedding video.

A complete example

Valid as written, with every required property and the recommended ones that carry real information.

video-object.json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "VideoObject",
  "name": "Acme Reference",
  "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.seoforsolos.com/opengraph-image",
  "uploadDate": "2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z",
  "description": "A one sentence description that restates its own subject.",
  "duration": "PT8M32S",
  "contentUrl": "https://www.seoforsolos.com/opengraph-image",
  "embedUrl": "https://www.seoforsolos.com/embed/example"
}

Properties

VideoObject properties
PropertyStatus
nameRequired
thumbnailUrlRequired
uploadDateRequired
descriptionRecommended
durationRecommended
contentUrlRecommended
embedUrlRecommended

The three mistakes this type attracts

  1. 01An ISO 8601 duration written as plain text.
  2. 02thumbnailUrl pointing at a page rather than an image.
  3. 03Omitting uploadDate, which is required for eligibility.

Related types

Where this appears in the playbook

Questions

What is the VideoObject schema type for?

A video, with its duration and thumbnail. Use it on: pages embedding video.

Which VideoObject properties are required?

VideoObject requires 3 properties: name, thumbnailUrl, uploadDate. It also recommends 4: description, duration, contentUrl, embedUrl.

Does VideoObject produce a rich result?

VideoObject 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 VideoObject mistake?

The most common VideoObject mistake is: An ISO 8601 duration written as plain text.