In short
- Structured data helps AI systems understand your content and cite correctly
- Essential schemas: Organization, Person, FAQPage, Article, HowTo
- JSON-LD is the preferred implementation format
- Always validate with Google Rich Results Test
- Combine multiple schemas on one page for maximum context
Structured data isn't new for SEO, but for GEO it's even more important. AI systems use structured data to understand what your content means, not just what it says.
Why structured data is crucial for GEO
From text to understanding
AI can read text, but structured data explicitly states what something is. "MatthCon" is text. @type: Organization tells AI it's a company.
Connecting entities
Structured data helps AI connect entities. Yannick Mattheessens → founder → MatthCon → B2B marketing consultancy.
Building trust
Websites with correct structured data are seen as more reliable. This can influence citation choices.
Essential schema types for GEO
1. Organization
Define your company as an entity:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Organization",
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#organization",
"name": "MatthCon",
"alternateName": "Mattheessens Consultancy",
"url": "https://www.matthcon.com",
"logo": "https://www.matthcon.com/logo.png",
"description": "B2B marketing consultancy specializing in digital strategy, SEO and automation.",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"addressLocality": "Waasmunster",
"addressCountry": "BE"
},
"founder": {
"@type": "Person",
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#yannick"
}
}
2. Person
Define experts and founders:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Person",
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#yannick",
"name": "Yannick Mattheessens",
"jobTitle": "Founder & B2B Marketing Consultant",
"worksFor": {
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#organization"
},
"knowsAbout": [
"B2B Marketing",
"SEO",
"Marketing Automation",
"GEO"
],
"alumniOf": ["FLOWSPARKS", "Lansweeper", "FLIR Systems"]
}
3. FAQPage
Essential for FAQ content:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is GEO?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is optimizing your online presence so AI systems understand and cite your brand."
}
}
]
}
4. Article / BlogPosting
For blog content:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "GEO vs SEO: what changes in 2026?",
"author": {
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#yannick"
},
"publisher": {
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#organization"
},
"datePublished": "2026-01-20",
"dateModified": "2026-01-22"
}
5. HowTo
For step-by-step guides:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "HowTo",
"name": "How to optimize for AI-search?",
"step": [
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"name": "Technical analysis",
"text": "Analyze your current technical setup."
},
{
"@type": "HowToStep",
"name": "Content optimization",
"text": "Optimize content for citability."
}
]
}
6. Service
For service pages:
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Service",
"name": "CMO-as-a-Service",
"provider": {
"@id": "https://matthcon.com/#organization"
},
"description": "Strategic marketing leadership without full-time commitment.",
"areaServed": ["BE", "NL"]
}
Implementation best practices
Use JSON-LD
JSON-LD is the preferred format. It's separate from your HTML and easy to manage.
Place in <head> or end of <body>
Both locations work. Consistency matters more.
Combine schemas
Use multiple schemas on one page. A blog post has Article + Person (author) + Organization (publisher).
Use @id for linking
Link entities to each other with @id references. This builds a connected knowledge graph.
Always validate
Use Google Rich Results Test to detect errors.
Common mistakes
Missing @context
Every schema block needs "@context": "https://schema.org".
Inconsistent @id's
Use the same @id for the same entity across your entire site.
Outdated information
Schema data must be consistent with your visible content.
Excessive markup
Only mark up what's actually on the page.
FAQ
Does structured data directly help AI citations?
Indirectly. It helps AI understand your content, increasing the chance of correct citations.
How many schemas can I have on one page?
As many as relevant. Combine logically: Article + Author + Publisher + FAQ.
What tool do I use for validation?
Google Rich Results Test and Schema.org Validator.
Need help with structured data? MatthCon implements complete structured data strategies. Request a technical analysis.