Structured Data for AI
Machine-readable markup (primarily JSON-LD and Schema.org) added to web pages to help AI models understand, extract, and cite your content accurately.
What is Structured Data for AI?
Structured data for AI refers to machine-readable markup — primarily JSON-LD format using Schema.org vocabulary — added to web pages to help AI models understand, extract, and cite content accurately. While structured data has been used for traditional SEO (rich snippets, knowledge panels), it plays an even more critical role in AI search where models need to reliably interpret page content at scale.
Why Structured Data Matters for AI Search
AI models use structured data to understand not just what content is on your page, but what it means and how it relates to real-world entities. When a page includes structured data, AI systems can:
- Identify key facts — Product names, prices, availability, reviews, and specifications
- Understand relationships — Author expertise, organizational credentials, content hierarchy
- Verify information — Cross-reference structured claims with other sources
- Determine available actions — What users can do on your site (search, purchase, book, subscribe)
Without structured data, AI models must rely on parsing unstructured HTML — a less reliable process that increases the chance of misinterpretation or omission.
Key Schema Types for AI Search Visibility
| Schema Type | Use Case | AI Search Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| FAQPage | Q&A sections | Makes answers directly extractable for AI responses |
| HowTo | Step-by-step guides | Helps AI generate structured procedural answers |
| Product | Product pages | Enables accurate pricing, specs, and availability in AI answers |
| Organization | Company info | Establishes brand identity and credibility for AI models |
| Person / Author | Content creators | Signals expertise and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) |
| Article | Blog posts, guides | Provides publication dates, authors, and topic context |
| Review | Customer feedback | Helps AI assess and relay product reputation |
| Action | Site capabilities | Tells AI agents what users can do on your site |
Schema.org Action Nodes for the Agentic Web
As AI agents become more autonomous, Schema.org Action nodes become increasingly important. These structured data elements tell AI agents not just what content exists on your page, but what actions can be taken — from searching to purchasing to subscribing. This makes your site queryable in the emerging agentic web, where AI agents autonomously evaluate products, compare pricing, and make recommendations.
How to Implement Structured Data for AI
- Use JSON-LD format — The preferred format for both search engines and AI models
- Start with high-impact schemas — FAQPage, Product, Organization, and Author schemas provide the most immediate value
- Include Action schemas — Help AI agents understand what users can do on your site
- Validate your markup — Use Google’s Rich Results Test and Schema.org validators
- Combine with llms.txt — Structured data on individual pages works best alongside a curated llms.txt file that guides AI to your most important content
- Keep data accurate — Outdated structured data (wrong prices, discontinued products) can damage credibility with AI models