What is schema markup and does my website need it? Schema markup is structured data code that describes your page to search and AI engines — your business, services, reviews, FAQs and more. It doesn’t directly raise rankings, but it helps engines understand your content and can make you eligible for rich results and AI answers. Most business sites benefit from it.
What is schema markup used for?
It translates your page into a format engines parse with confidence — labeling what’s a business, a product, a review, an FAQ or an event. That clarity powers rich results (star ratings, FAQs, business info) and helps AI engines quote you accurately.
Does schema markup help SEO?
Not as a direct ranking factor — Google has been clear that structured data itself doesn’t boost rankings. What it does is make you eligible for rich results and help engines understand and trust your content, which can improve click-through and AI visibility.
Which types of schema should I use?
- Organization / LocalBusiness — who you are, where, hours, contact
- Service — what you offer
- FAQPage — Q&A content (supports People Also Ask and AI answers)
- Review / AggregateRating — genuine reviews only
- BreadcrumbName / Article where relevant
Do I have to code it by hand?
Not necessarily — many platforms and plugins generate valid schema, and it should always match your visible content. Mismatched or fake schema (e.g. invented reviews) violates Google’s guidelines and can cause manual penalties.