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.
{
"@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"
}Generate a VideoObject node with your own values in the schema generator, and lint what your page actually ships with the schema validator.
Properties
| Property | Status |
|---|---|
name | Required |
thumbnailUrl | Required |
uploadDate | Required |
description | Recommended |
duration | Recommended |
contentUrl | Recommended |
embedUrl | Recommended |
The three mistakes this type attracts
- 01An ISO 8601 duration written as plain text.
- 02thumbnailUrl pointing at a page rather than an image.
- 03Omitting uploadDate, which is required for eligibility.
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
- Does schema markup work? What 42 types on one site actually did: which of these types measurably did anything in production.
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.