FAQ Rich Results No Longer Featured in Google Update

Significant SEO Changes: The End of FAQ Rich Results and the Launch of AI Controls

The SEO landscape experienced a major shift between May and June 2026 when Google declared that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available. This announcement signifies a crucial development, as Google has quietly phased out FAQ rich results while simultaneously introducing innovative AI search controls. These adjustments are substantial and reflect a thorough reorganisation of how Google manages and displays search content.

The End of FAQ Rich Results: Closing a Six-Year Chapter

On May 7, 2026, Google confirmed that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available across all website types. The long-utilised FAQPage schema markup that SEO experts dedicated years to implementing has ceased to generate expandable rich results in search.

This change impacts all categories of websites, including those in government and health sectors that previously enjoyed a competitive edge.

What has changed? While the FAQPage markup remains on websites, Google Search will no longer utilise it to display expandable FAQ sections. The rich result has effectively disappeared from search engine results pages (SERPs). FAQ Rich Results are gone

What changes are set for June 2026? Google intends to remove:

– The FAQ search appearance entirely
– The FAQ rich result report in Search Console
– FAQ support in the Rich Results Test tool
– FAQ support in the Search Console API

What does this mean for your website? Websites that developed content strategies centred around the FAQ schema must promptly reevaluate their tactics. The enhanced SERP visibility that FAQ rich results provided is no longer an option. Nevertheless, the content within FAQs remains significant—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual representation.

What actions should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are discontinued? Review your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was added primarily for search visibility. Focus on creating authentic Q&A content that truly meets user needs. Content quality is paramount; markup tricks are not.

Introducing AI Performance Reports in Search Console

In May 2026, Google began rolling out AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports will offer insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEO professionals have been eagerly awaiting since the advent of generative search.

This rollout also introduced an important new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude specific pages from AI search features. This move addresses publishers’ concerns regarding content being used without compensation and empowers creators to manage how their work appears in AI-generated responses.

Why does this matter now that FAQ Rich Results are discontinued? For the first time, Google offers a distinct view of AI-driven traffic, separate from traditional organic clicks. This allows you to ascertain whether AI Overviews are driving traffic to your content or merely replacing it.

The UK influence. The introduction of AI controls appears to be shaped by regulatory pressures from the UK government concerning AI content licensing. This implies that we may see more regional variations in AI search controls as governments around the world grapple with AI and copyright challenges.

Spam Policies Now Explicitly Include AI Search Features

In May 2026, Google confirmed that existing spam policies apply to AI search features, including AI Overviews and AI Mode.

Key warnings include:

– Manipulating citations for AI search
– Purchasing mentions or citations
– Crafting content specifically designed to rank in AI responses rather than to genuinely serve users

This clarification indicates that any attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that contravene Google’s core principles will attract the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The idea of “new channel, new rules” is misleading—Google perceives AI search as merely another avenue for its established ranking algorithms.

Improving AI Mode: Five Key Enhancements to Links

During May and June 2026, Google implemented five enhancements to linking in AI Mode and AI Overviews. These improvements aim to make AI-generated responses more conducive to linking:

1. Enhanced source attribution — Links are now more prominently integrated within AI responses
2. New carousel format — Sources are presented in a swipeable carousel for easier access
3. Improved anchor text — The context of links is clearer within AI-generated responses
4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now features a broader range of sources instead of repeating the same domains
5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has extended preferred sources to all languages worldwide

These adjustments directly address concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing readers to the original source websites.

A Summary of the May 2026 Core Update

The May 2026 core update was executed in late May, with noticeable fluctuations peaking on May 30 and June 2. Google officially confirmed the rollout on June 4. This update appears to have affected:

– Patterns of site reputation misuse (particularly among EU news outlets)
– Signals of content quality across various sectors
– User experience signals, with stronger competitors advancing in SERPs

Websites that experienced ranking drops should avoid making changes until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for significant core updates to be completely rolled out.

Essential Action Steps After the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results

1. Review FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was added solely for SERP visibility. Retain FAQ content that genuinely benefits users.

2. Evaluate AI performance reports — Once available in your Search Console, analyse how AI features affect your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with traditional organic traffic.

3. Consider AI opt-out options — Assess whether excluding AI features makes sense for specific pages. Weigh brand visibility against potential traffic consequences.

4. Prioritise authentic optimisation — Google has explicitly warned against manipulating AI citations. Concentrate on building genuine authority rather than pursuing citation tricks.

5. Monitor the impact of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before making adjustments. Allow time for the full rollout to complete.

What Stays the Same with the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?

Despite the recent changes, fundamental SEO principles remain intact:

– Quality content is essential — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. The pathway to AI visibility is through authentic expertise.
– Technical proficiency remains vital — Fast loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup continue to be crucial.
– User experience signals are important — Google has noted that stronger competitors thrive because they provide a superior overall experience.
– Distributed authority boosts visibility — Brand mentions across platforms such as Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with higher chances of AI citation.

While the June 2026 changes seem significant, they are refinements to a system that continues to reward core behaviours: creating genuinely valuable content and establishing authentic online authority.

Article by Geoff Lord, The Marketing Tutor, Internet Marketing Consultant, AI Content Creator, Web Designer, and Local SEO Specialist.
Supporting readers worldwide for over 30 years.
The Marketing Tutor provides comprehensive insights into Google’s decision to eliminate FAQ rich results from search appearances and implement AI controls.

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References.

– [Search Engine Roundtable: June 2026 Google Webmaster Report](https://www.seroundtable.com/june-2026-google-webmaster-report-41446.html)
– [Search Engine Journal: Google Drops FAQ Rich Results](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-drops-faq-rich-results-from-search/574429/)
– [Search Engine Land: Google FAQ Rich Results Deprecation](https://searchengineland.com/google-to-no-longer-support-faq-rich-results-476957)
– [ALM Corp: FAQ Rich Results No Longer Supported](https://almcorp.com/blog/google-faq-rich-results-no-longer-supported/)
– [OrangeMonke: FAQ Rich Results Removed](https://orangemonke.com/blogs/google-drops-faq-rich-results-from-search/)

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