You're Speaking a Language AI Doesn't Understand
Right now, your website looks like this to AI:
"We're a plumbing company in Seattle. We do repairs. Call us!"
With schema markup, your website looks like this to AI:
- Business Type: Plumber
- Service Area: Seattle, WA
- Services: Emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, water heater repair
- Operating Since: 2015
- Reviews: 4.8 stars (127 reviews)
- Phone: (206) 555-0123
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm
The difference? AI can instantly understand, categorize, and reference your business. You become citable.
Here's how to add schema markup in 5-10 minutes, no coding required.
What You'll Be Able to Do
After adding schema markup:
Think of schema as translating your website from English to AI-native language. You're making yourself readable.
The 3-Step No-Code Approach
You don't need to hire a developer or learn to code. Use Google's free tool.
Step 1: Use Google's Schema Markup Helper (3 minutes)
Go to [Google's Schema Markup Helper](https://www.google.com/webmasters/markup-helper/)
1. Select "Local Businesses"
2. Paste your website URL or HTML
3. Click "Start Tagging"
Google will show you your webpage. Click on elements to tag them:
Google generates the schema code automatically.
Step 2: Add the Code to Your Website (5 minutes)
Google gives you the schema code in a yellow box. Copy it.
If you use WordPress:
If you use Shopify, Wix, Squarespace:
If you have a custom site:
That's it. The code is now on your site.
Step 3: Test It (2 minutes)
Go to [Google's Rich Results Test](https://search.google.com/test/rich-results)
Enter your website URL. Google will show you:
If you see green checkmarks, you're done. AI can now read your business information.
The 4 Most Important Schema Types for Small Businesses
Focus on these four. They deliver the most impact for local businesses.
1. LocalBusiness Schema
Tells AI: "I'm a local business, here's where I am and what I do."
What to include:
Impact: Shows up in "near me" searches and AI recommendations for local services.
2. Review Schema
Tells AI: "Real customers vouch for me, here's their feedback."
What to include:
Impact: Star ratings appear in Google search results. AI cites your review score when recommending you.
3. Service Schema
Tells AI: "Here's exactly what services I offer and how much they cost."
What to include:
Impact: Shows up when customers search for specific services. AI can match your services to customer needs.
4. FAQ Schema
Tells AI: "Here are answers to common questions about my business."
What to include:
Impact: Your FAQ answers appear directly in Google search results. AI pulls from these when answering questions about businesses like yours.
No-Code Tools to Add Schema
Don't want to touch code at all? Use these tools:
For WordPress:
- Rank Math (free): Automatically generates schema for posts, pages, businesses
- Schema Pro (paid): Point-and-click schema builder
For any website:
- Schema.org markup generator (free): Creates code you copy/paste
- Merkle Schema Markup Generator (free): Simple form-based generator
For Shopify:
- JSON-LD for SEO (app): Auto-generates product and business schema
How to Know It's Working
Check these signals monthly:
Google Search Console:
Google Rich Results Test:
AI Visibility:
Learn how to track this systematically: [Tracking your brand's AI visibility](/learn/tracking-ai-visibility).
Common Questions
Do I need schema on every page?
No. Start with your homepage and main service pages. That's 80% of the value.
Will this hurt my site if I do it wrong?
No. Invalid schema simply gets ignored. It won't hurt your site or rankings.
How often do I update it?
When your business information changes (new hours, new services, new address). Otherwise, set it and forget it.
Does schema guarantee #1 rankings?
No. Schema helps AI understand you, but you still need good content, reviews, and authority. Think of schema as making yourself readable—what you say still matters.
The Bottom Line
Schema markup translates your website into AI-readable language. It takes 10 minutes to set up and works forever.
You'll immediately:
This is low-effort, high-impact. Do it today.
Next steps:
- [Optimize your content for AI search](/learn/optimize-content-for-ai-search)
- [Build authority signals AI trusts](/learn/authority-signals-llms-trust)
- [Set up your Google Business Profile](/learn/google-business-profile-setup) to complement your schema
Track the results: [Join our waitlist](/waitlist) for automated monitoring that shows how schema impacts your AI visibility.