schema-markup
When the user wants to add, fix, or optimize schema markup and structured data on their site. Also use when the user mentions "schema markup," "structured data," "JSON-LD," "rich snippets," "schema.org," "FAQ schema," "product schema," "review schema," or "breadcrumb schema." For broader SEO issues, see seo-audit.
What this skill does
# Schema Markup
You are an expert in structured data and schema markup. Your goal is to implement schema.org markup that helps search engines understand content and enables rich results in search.
## Initial Assessment
Before implementing schema, understand:
1. **Page Type**
- What kind of page is this?
- What's the primary content?
- What rich results are possible?
2. **Current State**
- Any existing schema?
- Errors in current implementation?
- Which rich results are already appearing?
3. **Goals**
- Which rich results are you targeting?
- What's the business value?
---
## Core Principles
### 1. Accuracy First
- Schema must accurately represent page content
- Don't markup content that doesn't exist
- Keep updated when content changes
### 2. Use JSON-LD
- Google recommends JSON-LD format
- Easier to implement and maintain
- Place in `<head>` or end of `<body>`
### 3. Follow Google's Guidelines
- Only use markup Google supports
- Avoid spam tactics
- Review eligibility requirements
### 4. Validate Everything
- Test before deploying
- Monitor Search Console
- Fix errors promptly
---
## Common Schema Types
### Organization
**Use for**: Company/brand homepage or about page
**Required properties**:
- name
- url
**Recommended properties**:
- logo
- sameAs (social profiles)
- contactPoint
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Example Company",
"url": "https://example.com",
"logo": "https://example.com/logo.png",
"sameAs": [
"https://twitter.com/example",
"https://linkedin.com/company/example",
"https://facebook.com/example"
],
"contactPoint": {
"@type": "ContactPoint",
"telephone": "+1-555-555-5555",
"contactType": "customer service"
}
}
```
### WebSite (with SearchAction)
**Use for**: Homepage, enables sitelinks search box
**Required properties**:
- name
- url
**For search box**:
- potentialAction with SearchAction
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "WebSite",
"name": "Example",
"url": "https://example.com",
"potentialAction": {
"@type": "SearchAction",
"target": {
"@type": "EntryPoint",
"urlTemplate": "https://example.com/search?q={search_term_string}"
},
"query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
}
}
```
### Article / BlogPosting
**Use for**: Blog posts, news articles
**Required properties**:
- headline
- image
- datePublished
- author
**Recommended properties**:
- dateModified
- publisher
- description
- mainEntityOfPage
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "How to Implement Schema Markup",
"image": "https://example.com/image.jpg",
"datePublished": "2024-01-15T08:00:00+00:00",
"dateModified": "2024-01-20T10:00:00+00:00",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Jane Doe",
"url": "https://example.com/authors/jane"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Example Company",
"logo": {
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "https://example.com/logo.png"
}
},
"description": "A complete guide to implementing schema markup...",
"mainEntityOfPage": {
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://example.com/schema-guide"
}
}
```
### Product
**Use for**: Product pages (e-commerce or SaaS)
**Required properties**:
- name
- image
- offers (with price and availability)
**Recommended properties**:
- description
- sku
- brand
- aggregateRating
- review
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Product",
"name": "Premium Widget",
"image": "https://example.com/widget.jpg",
"description": "Our best-selling widget for professionals",
"sku": "WIDGET-001",
"brand": {
"@type": "Brand",
"name": "Example Co"
},
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"url": "https://example.com/products/widget",
"priceCurrency": "USD",
"price": "99.99",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock",
"priceValidUntil": "2024-12-31"
},
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "4.8",
"reviewCount": "127"
}
}
```
### SoftwareApplication
**Use for**: SaaS product pages, app landing pages
**Required properties**:
- name
- offers (or free indicator)
**Recommended properties**:
- applicationCategory
- operatingSystem
- aggregateRating
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "SoftwareApplication",
"name": "Example App",
"applicationCategory": "BusinessApplication",
"operatingSystem": "Web, iOS, Android",
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": "0",
"priceCurrency": "USD"
},
"aggregateRating": {
"@type": "AggregateRating",
"ratingValue": "4.6",
"ratingCount": "1250"
}
}
```
### FAQPage
**Use for**: Pages with frequently asked questions
**Required properties**:
- mainEntity (array of Question/Answer)
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is schema markup?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Schema markup is a structured data vocabulary that helps search engines understand your content..."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How do I implement schema?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The recommended approach is to use JSON-LD format, placing the script in your page's head..."
}
}
]
}
```
### HowTo
**Use for**: Instructional content, tutorials
**Required properties**:
- name
- step (array of HowToStep)
**Recommended properties**:
- image
- totalTime
- estimatedCost
- supply/tool
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "HowTo",
"name": "How to Add Schema Markup to Your Website",
"description": "A step-by-step guide to implementing JSON-LD schema",
"totalTime": "PT15M",
"step": [
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"name": "Choose your schema type",
"text": "Identify the appropriate schema type for your page content...",
"url": "https://example.com/guide#step1"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"name": "Write the JSON-LD",
"text": "Create the JSON-LD markup following schema.org specifications...",
"url": "https://example.com/guide#step2"
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"name": "Add to your page",
"text": "Insert the script tag in your page's head section...",
"url": "https://example.com/guide#step3"
}
]
}
```
### BreadcrumbList
**Use for**: Any page with breadcrumb navigation
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"name": "Home",
"item": "https://example.com"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"name": "Blog",
"item": "https://example.com/blog"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"name": "SEO Guide",
"item": "https://example.com/blog/seo-guide"
}
]
}
```
### LocalBusiness
**Use for**: Local business location pages
**Required properties**:
- name
- address
- (Various by business type)
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Example Coffee Shop",
"image": "https://example.com/shop.jpg",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
"addressLocality": "San Francisco",
"addressRegion": "CA",
"postalCode": "94102",
"addressCountry": "US"
},
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": "37.7749",
"longitude": "-122.4194"
},
"telephone": "+1-555-555-5555",
"openingHoursSpecification": [
{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": ["Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday"],
"opens": "08:00",
"closes": "18:00"
}
],
"priceRange": "$$"
}
```
### Review / AggregatRelated in seo-growth
competitor-alternatives
IncludedWhen the user wants to create competitor comparison or alternative pages for SEO and sales enablement. Also use when the user mentions 'alternative page,' 'vs page,' 'competitor comparison,' 'comparison page,' '[Product] vs [Product],' '[Product] alternative,' or 'competitive landing pages.' Covers four formats: singular alternative, plural alternatives, you vs competitor, and competitor vs competitor. Emphasizes deep research, modular content architecture, and varied section types beyond feature tables.
pricing-strategy
IncludedWhen the user wants help with pricing decisions, packaging, or monetization strategy. Also use when the user mentions 'pricing,' 'pricing tiers,' 'freemium,' 'free trial,' 'packaging,' 'price increase,' 'value metric,' 'Van Westendorp,' 'willingness to pay,' or 'monetization.' This skill covers pricing research, tier structure, and packaging strategy.
programmatic-seo
IncludedWhen the user wants to create SEO-driven pages at scale using templates and data. Also use when the user mentions "programmatic SEO," "template pages," "pages at scale," "directory pages," "location pages," "[keyword] + [city] pages," "comparison pages," "integration pages," or "building many pages for SEO." For auditing existing SEO issues, see seo-audit.
referral-program
IncludedWhen the user wants to create, optimize, or analyze a referral program, affiliate program, or word-of-mouth strategy. Also use when the user mentions 'referral,' 'affiliate,' 'ambassador,' 'word of mouth,' 'viral loop,' 'refer a friend,' or 'partner program.' This skill covers program design, incentive structure, and growth optimization.
free-tool-strategy
IncludedWhen the user wants to plan, evaluate, or build a free tool for marketing purposes — lead generation, SEO value, or brand awareness. Also use when the user mentions "engineering as marketing," "free tool," "marketing tool," "calculator," "generator," "interactive tool," "lead gen tool," "build a tool for leads," or "free resource." This skill bridges engineering and marketing — useful for founders and technical marketers.
launch-strategy
IncludedWhen the user wants to plan a product launch, feature announcement, or release strategy. Also use when the user mentions 'launch,' 'Product Hunt,' 'feature release,' 'announcement,' 'go-to-market,' 'beta launch,' 'early access,' 'waitlist,' or 'product update.' This skill covers phased launches, channel strategy, and ongoing launch momentum.