Search engines don’t see web pages the way people do. They don’t “read” pages—they parse code. That’s where schema markup comes in. If you want search engines and AI models to understand your site, schema markup gives them the vocabulary to do it.
And when it comes to implementing schema markup in WordPress, the Yoast SEO plugin makes it almost too easy.
In this guide, we’re going to break down what schema is, why it matters for your business, and exactly how to implement it using Yoast SEO—step by step. We’ll also cover which schema types Yoast supports, how to handle edge cases, and what to do if you need more advanced or custom schema integration.
Let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
Benefits of using Yoast SEO for schema:
- Yoast creates a complete schema graph: It connects all pages and entities properly.
- Organization and Person schema is automated: Yoast automatically adds these elements.
- Yoast allows easy manual schema customization: You can refine schema settings per page.
- Yoast improves site SEO with better context: Google better understands your website content.
What is Schema Markup and Why Should You Care?
Schema markup—also called structured data—is a type of code that lives behind the scenes on your website. It helps search engines like Google, Bing, and even generative AI tools like ChatGPT understand what your content is about.
Instead of guessing whether a page is about a product, a person, a review, or a blog post, schema tells them directly.
When search engines understand your site better, you get rich results—those extra bells and whistles in the SERPs (search engine result pages). Think star ratings, product availability, prices, and even author info.
Schema markup improves:
- Click-through rates (CTR) due to rich snippets
- Content discoverability in voice search and AI-powered interfaces
- Indexing accuracy because bots aren’t guessing
And we’ve seen this play out firsthand. One of our clients added schema to their FAQ pages using Yoast, and within a few weeks, they were pulling in rich results and saw a 21% lift in clicks from search.
“Many search engines rely on structured data to enhance user experiences – and this trend will likely intensify in 2025.”
— Olya Ianovskaia, Search Engine Land
Structured data isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming the language of the internet.
How Schema Is Used by Search Engines and Generative AI
Schema isn’t just about traditional search engines anymore.
Structured data may help AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity better understand web content. While search engines explicitly use schema markup, the exact mechanisms AI systems use to interpret content are continually evolving, making properly marked-up content increasingly valuable.
Sites that use schema have a likely have a major edge because the data is machine-readable. It’s like giving AI tools a detailed cheat sheet.
Let’s say you’re a personal injury attorney. If your About page uses schema to define your business as @type: LegalService, generative search tools know you’re not a general content site—you’re a practicing law firm. That increases your likelihood of being cited in AI-generated answers, local listings, or featured voice results.
Search is evolving rapidly. Schema helps you ride that wave instead of being swept under it.
How to Add Schema Markup Using Yoast SEO
If you’re using WordPress, Yoast SEO simplifies schema implementation. The plugin automatically adds structured data to your site in JSON-LD, the format Google recommends.
Here’s how to set it up the right way:
Step 1: Install and Activate Yoast SEO
If it’s not already installed:
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for “Yoast SEO”
- Install and activate
No coding required.
Step 2: Configure Your Site’s Schema Defaults
In your WordPress dashboard:
- Navigate to SEO > Settings > Site Representation
- Select whether your site represents:
- An Organization (great for businesses)
- A Person (for authors, coaches, public speakers)
Enter your name, logo, and social profiles. Yoast will use this info to generate a global schema graph, which every page on your site will reference.
Step 3: Define Schema Types for Your Content
Next, go to:
SEO > Settings > Content Types
Here, you can assign a default schema type to each content type—Posts, Pages, and any Custom Post Types (CPTs). Note: When working with Custom Post Types, Yoast SEO typically requires them to be properly registered in WordPress for schema to be applied effectively. Check your CPT configuration if schema options aren’t appearing. show_in_rest
Here are a few options you’ll see:
| Content Type | Available Schema Types |
|---|---|
| Posts | Article, BlogPosting, NewsArticle |
| Pages | WebPage, FAQPage, ProfilePage |
| WooCommerce Products | Product |
| Courses (via LMS plugins) | Course |
| Events (via event plugins) | Event |
If your site has custom post types like “Case Studies” or “Team Members,” Yoast may allow you to assign schema types—but only if those post types are registered properly. This nuance is often overlooked and can trip up developers.
Yoast SEO Schema Options: Free vs Premium
Yoast’s free version is powerful, but Premium unlocks even more precision—especially for Gutenberg block users or marketers working with content-heavy sites.
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Global schema graph output | ✅ | ✅ |
| Per-post schema selection | ✅ | ✅ |
| FAQ & HowTo schema blocks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Priority support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Custom schema blocks (via Gutenberg) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integration with advanced plugins | ✅ | ✅ |
So if you’re building pages with specific intent—like tutorials (HowTo) or product FAQ sections—Yoast Premium’s block-based schema tools are a time-saver.
🔎 Note: If your site disables the Gutenberg editor (using Classic Editor or a page builder like Elementor), Yoast’s FAQ and HowTo blocks will not be available.
Can You Add Custom Schema with Yoast SEO?
Here’s where it gets technical.
Yoast SEO does not let you paste or write raw JSON-LD schema into the UI like some other SEO plugins. However, there are three main ways to customize schema with Yoast:
1. Use Yoast’s Schema API (for developers)
Yoast offers a powerful Schema API that developers can tap into using PHP filters. You can add or remove graph pieces and even replace Yoast’s default schema structure.
👉 For developers who want to geek out a little:
You can also disable Yoast’s default schema entirely:
2. Add Custom Schema via Code Snippets Plugin
If you’re not working directly in your theme files, the Code Snippets plugin lets you insert schema safely in your functions file or header. This gives you full flexibility without altering plugin or theme code.
Just remember: Yoast will not merge this into its graph. It will be separate but valid.
3. Combine with a Dedicated Schema Plugin
You can also use advanced schema plugins like Schema Pro or WP SEO Structured Data Schema to generate highly customized markup. These tools can inject schema types Yoast doesn’t support out of the box.
⚠️ Heads up: Don’t duplicate schema types. If both plugins output the same schema (like
ProductorFAQPage), you risk confusing search engines and invalidating rich result eligibility.
If you’re combining schema plugins, consider disabling Yoast’s schema output for specific post types using:
FAQs About Schema Mark with Yoast SEO
1. Is schema markup necessary for SEO?
Yes. It enhances how your content is presented in search results, making it more clickable and trustworthy.
2. Does Yoast SEO add schema automatically?
Yes. Once configured, Yoast generates a rich schema graph on every post and page.
3. Can I assign different schema types per post?
Absolutely. Just open the post in the editor, scroll to the Yoast SEO meta box, and adjust the schema type under the “Schema” tab.
4. Can I use Yoast SEO and another schema plugin together?
Yes, but cautiously. Avoid using both for the same schema types. Duplicate markup can invalidate your eligibility for rich results.
5. What if I need schema types not supported by Yoast?
Use Yoast’s Schema API, a plugin like Schema Pro, or inject raw JSON-LD via code.
6. How do I test if my schema is working correctly?
Use Google’s Rich Results Test or the Schema.org Validator to check syntax, structure, and eligibility.
Real-Life Example of Schema Implementation
A SaaS client was struggling with visibility in Google’s “People also ask” boxes. Their articles were strong—but underperforming.
We added FAQPage schema using Yoast’s Gutenberg block across the top 20 pages. Within 30 days, they earned FAQ rich snippets and saw a 38% boost in impressions and a 50% bump in organic traffic—without publishing a single new post.
Schema made their content more discoverable, period.
Final Thoughts on Schema Mark with Yoast SEO
Search has changed—and it’s not slowing down. Schema markup gives your site the context machines crave. Without it, you’re depending on algorithms to guess what your content is about. That’s a risky bet.
With Yoast SEO, WordPress users have a powerful tool for adding structured data quickly and correctly. Whether you’re a beginner or a developer looking to go deeper with custom schema, Yoast sets the foundation.
Want to stand out in AI search, voice answers, or enhanced search results?
Then schema isn’t optional—it’s required.
Need help auditing or implementing schema on your WordPress site? White Peak is here to help you dominate search engine optimization with your WordPress site.
Let’s get your structured data working as hard as your content.
