Yoast SEO 11.6 updates how-to structured data block, following Google’s changes

The latest update also includes more UX changes and bug fixes.

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Yoast’s WordPress SEO plugin has been updated with new how-to blocks. The latest release also adds tabs to the top of the meta box as well as schema and security fixes.

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Yoast’s new how-to block. Image source: Yoast blog.

More on the update. Referring to Google’s announcement of support for new how-to structured data at this year’s I/O conference in May, Yoast says its revamped how-to blocks follow Google’s latest changes. And, as was the case with Yoast’s previous schema implementation updates, all of the structured data code generated will also be incorporated into your website’s graph, informing search engines about how your structured data fits within the context of your website. This content block is only compatible with the WordPress block editor (also known as Gutenberg; available on versions 5.0 and newer).

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Yoast’s meta box’s new UI with tabs at the top. Image source: Yoast blog.

The 11.6 update also made UX changes to the meta box. If you’re using WordPress’ Classic Editor, the meta box now has a row of horizontal tabs across the top; previously the tabs were lined up vertically along the left-hand side.

Why we should care. With Google’s adoption of how-to structured data markup, users may be shown instructional information as a rich result more frequently in the search results. This update makes it easier for content producers to add how-to markup to the applicable content.

For more on Yoast’s structured data implementation, check out our previous coverage of its SEO WordPress plugin updates: 


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

George Nguyen
Contributor
George Nguyen is the Director of SEO Editorial at Wix, where he manages the Wix SEO Learning Hub. His career is focused on disseminating best practices and reducing misinformation in search. George formerly served as an editor for Search Engine Land, covering organic and paid search.

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