In short. Google ends HowTo rich results on desktop in September 2023 after withdrawing mobile support, while Schema.org retains the HowTo vocabulary.
Definition: Google Search no longer shows HowTo rich results, the enhanced previews for step-by-step instructions; desktop support ends on 13 September 2023, following mobile withdrawal. Schema.org's HowTo type remains a vocabulary for describing instructions.
Key facts
- Google's May 2019 launch announcement introduces How-to rich results and supporting Search Console reports.
- Google's feature change announcement first limits HowTo results to desktop in August 2023, then announces their retirement in a September update.
- Google's documentation updates log records removal of the How-to documentation because the result no longer appears on desktop or mobile.
- Schema.org's HowTo definition describes instructions that achieve a result through a sequence of steps.
How does support change over time?
On 8 May 2019, Google announces support for How-to structured data, meaning machine-readable descriptions added to a page. Its examples include tying a tie and tiling a kitchen backsplash. The previews can incorporate steps, tools and duration, with images or video for individual steps.
The 8 August 2023 announcement restricts the feature to desktop users. The update dated 14 September ends that remaining support. This supersedes the desktop-only instructions still visible further down the same post.
Google's September documentation log also records removal of the How-to rich result case study and developer documentation. The stated reason for removing the documentation is that the result no longer appears on either device category.
What does HowTo markup still describe?
Schema.org's HowTo page lists properties such as step and tool. The step property accepts text or typed values, including HowToStep and HowToSection.
The following reduced identification excerpt comes from Schema.org's "Change a Flat Tire" example. It helps identify HowTo markup in an existing page:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "HowTo",
"name": "Change a Flat Tire"
}
The excerpt omits the example's instructions. The vocabulary describes the content; Google separately determines which search presentations it supports. An implementation review therefore checks vocabulary validity and Google feature support separately.
How should a website check existing markup?
In its testing guidance available in October 2026, Google's structured data testing page distinguishes the Rich Results Test, which checks Google search features, from the Schema Markup Validator, which validates Schema.org markup without Google-specific rules. For an existing HowTo implementation, the latter addresses the vocabulary check.
The retirement update announces removal of How-to support from the Rich Results Test and the associated Search Console reports within 30 days, with Search Console API support removed after 180 days. The search display change precedes these announced tooling deadlines.
Related terms
FAQ
Should you remove existing HowTo markup immediately?
Google's change announcement says unused structured data can remain and causes no problems for Search. Removing it is optional.
Does a successful schema validation restore the rich result?
No. Google's testing documentation defines generic schema validation separately from Google-specific feature validation. A valid HowTo description remains subject to the feature's retirement.
Sources
- Google Search Central, "New in structured data: FAQ and How-to", 8 May 2019
- Google Search Central, "Changes to HowTo and FAQ rich results", 8 August 2023, updated 14 September 2023
- Google Search Central, "Latest documentation updates", 14 September 2023 entry
- Schema.org, "HowTo", accessed 17 October 2026
- Google Search Central, "Schema Markup Testing Tool", accessed 17 October 2026
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