step

step · Not mentioned by Google

Appears in

HowTo

What is it?

The step property defines the individual instructions that make up a how-to guide. Each step tells the reader what to do next, in sequence. Without steps, a HowTo has no actionable content.

Steps can be plain text strings, structured HowToStep objects with names, directions, and tips, or grouped into HowToSection objects for multi-part procedures.

Why this matters for AEO

When a user asks "how do I change a flat tire," AI answer engines parse step data to generate numbered instruction lists. Each HowToStep with a clear text property becomes a discrete action the AI can present in sequence, rather than forcing it to extract steps from paragraph text.

Google deprecated HowTo rich results in September 2023, but AI engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews still consume HowTo markup to structure procedural answers.

What the specs say

Schema.org:HowToStep, Text, HowToSection, CreativeWork. A single step item (as HowToStep, text, document, video, etc.) or a HowToSection.

Google: Not mentioned. HowTo rich result has been deprecated by Google as of September 2023. Field not listed in current Google structured data documentation. Source

How to find your value

• Existing content — Break your article body into numbered actions
• Video tutorials — Each cut or segment becomes a step
• Product manuals — Follow the manufacturer instruction sequence
• Internal SOPs — Map each procedure step to a HowToStep

Format and code

Each step works best as a HowToStep with name, text, and position:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "Change a Flat Tire",
  "step": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": "1",
      "name": "Turn on hazard lights",
      "text": "Turn on your hazard lights and slow down. Pull over to the nearest flat, stable surface."
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": "2",
      "name": "Secure the vehicle",
      "text": "Apply the parking brake and place wheel wedges behind the tires."
    },
    {
      "@type": "HowToStep",
      "position": "3",
      "name": "Loosen the lug nuts",
      "text": "Use the lug wrench to loosen each nut by turning counterclockwise. Do not remove them completely."
    }
  ]
}

For complex procedures with sections:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "Change a Flat Tire",
  "step": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToSection",
      "name": "Preparation",
      "position": "1",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "HowToStep",
          "position": "1",
          "text": "Turn on your hazard lights and slow down."
        },
        {
          "@type": "HowToStep",
          "position": "2",
          "text": "Apply the parking brake."
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Plain text steps are valid but provide less structure for machines to parse:

{
  "step": ["Pull over safely.", "Apply the parking brake.", "Loosen the lug nuts."]
}

Webflow implementation

Static pages

Add the full HowTo JSON-LD block in Page Settings > Custom Code > Footer Code. List each step as a HowToStep object with position, name, and text.

CMS template pages

Map CMS multi-reference or rich text fields to step content. Use a custom code embed to loop through step data, or hardcode steps in the template if the procedure is the same across pages.

In Schema HQ

The step field does not currently generate HowTo markup. Add HowTo JSON-LD manually through Webflow custom code until HowTo support is added.

Real examples

From Schema.org HowTo Example:

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "HowTo",
  "name": "Change a Flat Tire",
  "step": [
    {
      "@type": "HowToSection",
      "name": "Preparation",
      "position": "1",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "HowToStep",
          "position": "1",
          "itemListElement": [
            {
              "@type": "HowToDirection",
              "position": "1",
              "text": "Turn on your hazard lights and slow down."
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Related fields

• supply
• tool
• estimatedCost
• name
• description

FAQ

Does Google still support HowTo rich results?

No. Google deprecated HowTo rich results in September 2023. The markup remains valid schema.org vocabulary and is still consumed by AI answer engines, but it no longer triggers visual rich results in Google Search.

Should steps use HowToStep objects or plain text?

Use HowToStep objects. They give AI engines structured fields (name, text, position) to parse, producing more accurate step-by-step answers than unstructured text strings.

Can steps be grouped into sections?

Yes. Use HowToSection as a wrapper with its own name and position, then nest HowToStep objects inside itemListElement. This works well for multi-phase procedures like recipes with prep and cooking phases.