--- title: "Google documents creator for VideoObject structured data" url: https://seomadman.com/news/google-video-schema-creator-property section: news published: 2026-09-26T00:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-09-26T00:00:00.000Z author: Adam Hafez topics: ["Structured data"] --- # Google documents creator for VideoObject structured data ## The short answer Google added the creator property to its VideoObject structured data documentation on 24 September 2026, noting that author is also supported. Both take a Person or Organization with a name or alternateName. The same update lists the four interactionStatistic types Google supports: WatchAction, LikeAction, CommentAction and ShareAction. ## Key takeaways - Google added creator to its VideoObject documentation on 24 September 2026 and noted that author is also supported. - Google lists creator as a recommended property, so video markup without it stays eligible for video features. - A creator must be a Person or Organization, and Google says you must provide either name or alternateName. - Google now names four supported interaction types, WatchAction, LikeAction, CommentAction and ShareAction. - Required VideoObject properties are unchanged, still name, thumbnailUrl and uploadDate. Google updated its video [structured data](/topics/structured-data) documentation on 24 September 2026. The entry in its documentation updates log says Google "added the creator property (noting support for author)" and updated interactionStatistic to document the interaction types it supports. Nothing about the required properties changed. ## What did Google change in the video structured data docs? Two things, both in the recommended property table for `VideoObject`. **creator, or author.** The new row describes the person or organization that created or published the video. The expected type is `Person` or `Organization`, and it has two subproperties: - `creator.name` (or `author.name`): the name of the creator or organization. Google says that if a person or organization is specified, you must provide either `name` or `alternateName`. - `creator.url` (or `author.url`): a link to a page that uniquely identifies the creator, such as a profile page or homepage. Google's own example uses a `Person` with a name and a profile URL, and its full page example uses an `Organization`. **interactionStatistic.** The property was already recommended. What is new is an explicit list of supported `interactionType` values: - `WatchAction`: the number of times the video has been watched. - `LikeAction`: the number of likes or upvotes. - `CommentAction`: the number of comments. - `ShareAction`: the number of reshares. `userInteractionCount` is an Integer, the number of times that interaction was performed. The older `interactionCount` property is still supported, but Google recommends `interactionStatistic` going forward. ## Does this make creator required? No. Google lists `creator` as recommended. The required properties are unchanged: `name`, `thumbnailUrl` and `uploadDate`. Markup that has those three stays eligible, whether or not it names a creator. ## What should you do about it? **Name the creator as an object, not a string.** `"creator": "Jane Doe"` is not what Google documents. Use a `Person` or `Organization` with a `name`, and add a `url` if a profile or homepage exists. If your CMS already outputs `author`, you do not need to rename it, since Google supports both. **Check your interaction types.** A view count marked as a `ViewAction`, or any type outside the four above, is not one Google says it supports. Views belong under `WatchAction`. Keep `userInteractionCount` a whole number. **Do not invent counts.** Google describes these as user statistics "if applicable". Leave the property out rather than publishing a figure you cannot back up. ## Can I test my markup against the new rules? Yes. We updated our [VideoObject required fields checker](/tools/video-object-schema-required-fields-checker) the same week. It now accepts `creator` or `author`, warns when the value is plain text or has neither `name` nor `alternateName`, and checks each `interactionStatistic` entry for a supported type and an integer count. It runs in your browser, and nothing you paste leaves the page. ## Why we care This is a documentation change, not a ranking change, and it asks little of anyone. Its value is precision: a named creator and a clear list of interaction types remove two places where video markup was guesswork. Sites that publish video under a real person or brand now have a documented place to say so. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is creator required for VideoObject structured data? No. Google lists creator, or author, among the recommended properties. The required ones are still name, thumbnailUrl and uploadDate. ### Should I use creator or author? Either. Google documents creator and notes that author is also supported, with the same Person or Organization shape and the same name and url subproperties. ### Which interactionType values does Google support for video? WatchAction for views, LikeAction for likes or upvotes, CommentAction for comments and ShareAction for reshares, each with an integer userInteractionCount. ### Do I need to change existing video markup? Only if you want the recommended fields. Markup that meets the three required properties is not made invalid by this update. ## Sources 1. [Video (VideoObject, Clip, BroadcastEvent) structured data](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/video) - Google Search Central (primary) 2. [Latest Google Search documentation updates](https://developers.google.com/search/updates) - Google Search Central (primary) 3. [Google Video Structured Data Adds Creator Property](https://www.seroundtable.com/google-video-structured-data-creator-update-42162.html) - Search Engine Roundtable