AI coding glossary
Schema Markup (JSON-LD)
Also known as: json-ld, structured data, schema.org
In one sentence
Structured data embedded in a page's HTML that tells search engines and AI clients what the content represents, Article, FAQ, Product, Recipe, Person, Organization, etc.
Full definition
Schema markup is structured metadata that follows the Schema.org vocabulary, typically embedded as JSON-LD in a page's <head> or near-relevant content. It tells search engines and AI clients exactly what kind of content the page is, Article, BlogPosting, FAQPage, Product, SoftwareApplication, DefinedTerm, Person, Organization, Recipe, Review, HowTo, BreadcrumbList, ItemList, and more. In 2026 it's the cheapest single lever for AEO + GEO: AI clients use schema to extract direct answers, validate authorship, and decide which page to cite. Critical rule: schema must reflect visible page content. Decorative FAQ schema with no real Q&A on the page is penalized.