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HowTo Schema Missing

Issue No: 149

Category: Structured Data & Rich Results

Issue type: Suggestion

Priority: STANDARD

Description​

Tutorial or step-by-step guide pages are missing HowTo schema, reducing eligibility for Google's step-expansion rich results and voice search step readout.

How do we capture it​

  • Detect pages with how-to URL patterns, numbered step lists, or titles starting "How to"
  • Check JSON-LD for "@type": "HowTo" with a step array

What to store​

StructuredDataAudit record with schemaType = HowTo, issueNumber = 63, plus StructuredDataField rows:

FieldTypeComment
step_countintegerNumber of HowToStep items
has_imagesbooleanSteps include image properties
has_total_timebooleantotalTime in ISO 8601 duration declared
has_supplybooleansupply or tool items declared

Core audit fields used: isPresent, hasName, rawJson

Condition for trigger​

  • Trigger Rule 1: Schema absent on how-to page
    • Target Field: isPresent
    • Evaluation Logic: isPresent = false AND page title/URL matches how-to pattern
    • Severity: STANDARD
    • Diagnostic Message: "HowTo page detected but no HowTo schema found."

Sources​

Long description​

HowTo enables Google to display an expanded step list directly in SERPs before the user clicks. Voice assistants can also read steps aloud sequentially.

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "How to Change a Car Tyre",
  "totalTime": "PT30M",
  "step": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Loosen lug nuts",
      "text": "Before lifting the car, loosen the lug nuts slightly.",
      "image": "https://example.com/step1.jpg"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Jack up the car",
      "text": "Position the jack under the vehicle frame and raise it.",
      "image": "https://example.com/step2.jpg"
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "name": "Remove the flat tyre",
      "text": "Fully remove the lug nuts and take off the flat tyre.",
      "image": "https://example.com/step3.jpg"
    }
  ]
}

How to Fix​

  1. Add HowTo JSON-LD to step-by-step guide pages
  2. Add totalTime in ISO 8601 (PT30M = 30 minutes)
  3. Include image for each step — increases rich result eligibility
  4. List supply and tool items where relevant
  5. Only use on genuine instructional content