How to Add Video Schema in WordPress to Get More Clicks

Have you ever wondered how some videos in Google search results get those eye-catching thumbnails and extra details? It's not by chance, and it's something you can do too.

This special feature is unlocked by something called video schema.

Video schema is like a “cheat sheet” for Google about your video, making it easier for you to rank higher and get more clicks.

Plus, it's super easy to add it to your site when you have the right tools.

In this guide, I'm going to show you exactly how to add video schema in WordPress using AIOSEO—no coding required.

What Is Video Schema? 

Video schema is a type of structured data that acts as a translator between your website and a search engine. You add it to your site using schema markup, which is a type of code.

Here's an example of what it looks like in source code:

You can think of schema markup like a label on a box. The label tells you what's inside, who made it, and other key details without you having to open the box. 

Video schema does the same thing for search engines, telling them your video's title, description, length, and thumbnail.

This helps Google understand your content and showcase it in search engine results pages (SERPs), like the examples below.

As you’ll soon see, video schema doesn’t have to require coding. (Schema markup uses JSON-LD.)

This is especially true for WordPress users because the best SEO plugins make it as easy as clicking buttons and filling out some form fields.

Is Video Schema Good for SEO?

100% yes.

Getting your videos to stand out in Google Search is one of the best ways to get more traffic. 

Here’s why it’s so important:

• You Get a Higher Click-Through Rate (CTR): Videos with rich results (like a thumbnail) just look more appealing. In fact, one study showed that video schema can boost CTR by an average of 67%.
• Google Understands Your Content Better: You're telling Google exactly what your video is about, which helps you rank for the right keywords.
• You Gain a Competitive Edge: Many of your competitors aren't using video schema. It's an easy way to make your content stand out and capture a larger audience.

How to Add Video Schema Markup in WordPress

I'll walk you through this process using the All in One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin. It's the easiest way I've found to do this without touching any code. But before I do…

Alright, let’s get into it.

Step 1: Download & Install All in One SEO

All in One SEO (AIOSEO) is a beginner-friendly plugin that gives you pro results without having to hire SEO help. 

I’ve been using it for over 2 years and can’t imagine using any other SEO plugin now (and I’ve tried them all).

So, once you’ve downloaded AIOSEO, go ahead and open the WordPress editor. (The plugin will download as a zip file. There's no need to open the file.)

In the left-hand column of your WordPress editor, go to Plugins » Add New.

Then, click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page and upload the AIOSEO zip file from your computer.

The All in One SEO setup wizard will automatically open and walk you through a few simple steps.

With the AIOSEO plugin installed, you're ready to add video schema to a web page.

Step 2: Access the Video Schema Generator

Open the WordPress editor of the page or post you want to add video schema to.

Then, scroll down until you see the AIOSEO Settings and click the Schema tab. You’ll see a list of existing schema types already in use and a button to Generate Schema. Click this button.

This action will open the AIOSEO Schema Generator, which resembles a catalog. Select Video from the list. 

Step 3: Fill Out the Video Schema Form

You’ll reach a new screen that asks for details about your video. Each field is user-friendly and has clear descriptors of what to add.

For example, in the Embed URL field, it says “A URL pointing to an embeddable for the video (e.g., a YouTube link.) So, in this field, you’d just add your video YouTube link.

Here’s a quick rundown of the available fields:

• Name: Enter the title of your video.
• Description: Add a description of your video.
• Content URL: Add the URL of the video file, if you uploaded it to your website. (This will likely be a .mp4 or .mov file.) (Search engines prefer this URL to the Embed URL.)
• Embed URL: Enter the URL for the dedicated page hosting the video. This may be on YouTube or Vimeo.
• Upload Date: Add the date the video was uploaded to your site or to YouTube or Vimeo.
• Family Friendly: Choose Yes or No.
• Thumbnail URL: Upload a thumbnail image for your video. You can also opt to paste in the URL for that image.

You can add as much, or as little, you want in these fields, but I recommend filling out as much as you can. 

Once you’re done, click Add Schema at the bottom-right of the window.

The video schema generator will format your schema markup properly for search engines, giving you the best chances of ranking with video snippets in SERPs.

Step 4: (Optional) Test Your Schema

Since you’re not adding this schema code manually, you don’t need to worry about errors.

However, if you really want to check the code is correctly applied, you can test it right in WordPress. 

AIOSEO has a connection to Google’s Rich Result Test built into its Schema Generator. 

This tutorial shows you how to run a rich results test.

How to Edit or Delete Your Video Schema 

Need to make a change to your video schema?

No problem.

With AIOSEO, it’s easy to edit or delete any of your schema markup. To do so, go ahead and navigate to the schema section of your post or page.  

Once you’ve located your video schema, you can either:

• Click the pencil icon to edit it or
• Click the trashcan icon to delete it

Pretty simple, right?

That’s what I like about AIOSEO (even outside of schema markup), it makes what could be complicated processes easy.

Can I Add More Than 1 Schema Type?

Yes, you can and you should! A single page can have multiple schema types. This gives Google the most complete picture of your content.

For example, if your video is part of a recipe, you should add both video and recipe schema.

Here are some of the most popular schema types you can add using the AIOSEO Schema Catalog:

• FAQ: Use this for pages with a question-and-answer format to help you win a rich snippet with dropdown answers in the search results.
• HowTo: Perfect for any step-by-step tutorial or guide.
• Recipe: A must-have for food blogs. It helps you show ratings, cook time, and an image right in the search results.
• Product: Essential for e-commerce pages to show important details like price, availability, and star ratings.
• Local Business: This is a must for local business owners. It helps your physical business show up with key information in local search and Google Maps.

Just open the Schema Catalog again and add any other type that fits your content. AIOSEO makes it easy to layer them on a single page.

What’s Next?

You now know how to add video schema to give your content a better chance to stand out in search results. By making this a regular part of your publishing routine, you'll be building a stronger SEO foundation for your site.

To learn more about how to get your videos noticed, check out our guide to video SEO best practices and see how to create a video sitemap.

The easiest way to manage all of your schema types and on-page SEO is with AIOSEO. With our Schema Generator, you can get the benefits of structured data in just a few clicks.

If you found this article helpful, then go ahead and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You’ll find many additional tutorials there. You can also follow us on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or Facebook to stay in the loop as we release new features.

FAQs About Video Schema Markup

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that we believe will add value to our readers.