FAQ Rich Results Removed in Latest Google Update

Major SEO Developments: The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results and the Introduction of AI Controls

The SEO environment underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026 when Google announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer accessible. This decision marks an important milestone, as Google has gradually eliminated FAQ rich results while unveiling advanced AI search controls. These changes are considerable and illustrate a comprehensive reconfiguration of how Google curates and showcases search content.

Farewell to FAQ Rich Results: Concluding a Six-Year Era

On May 7, 2026, Google officially announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available for all website categories. The once widely adopted FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals invested years in implementing, has stopped generating expandable rich results in search.

This alteration affects all types of websites, including those in the government and health sectors that previously benefitted from enhanced visibility.

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

What changes are anticipated for June 2026? Google plans to eliminate:

– 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 implications does this have for your website? Websites that centred their content strategies around the FAQ schema must quickly reassess their approaches. The increased SERP visibility that FAQ rich results once offered is no longer available. However, the content within FAQs remains relevant—Google still reads and indexes FAQ information, although without the enhanced visual display.

What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available? Examine your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was primarily added for search visibility. Focus on developing genuine Q&A content that effectively addresses user needs. Prioritising content quality is essential; markup tricks are not.

Unveiling AI Performance Reports in Search Console

In May 2026, Google commenced the rollout of AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports will provide insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEO experts have eagerly anticipated since the emergence of generative search.

This rollout also introduced a significant new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners now have the ability to selectively exclude specific pages from AI search features. This initiative addresses publishers’ concerns about their content being utilised without compensation and empowers creators to control how their work appears in AI-generated responses.

Why is this significant following the discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results? For the first time, Google provides a distinct perspective on AI-driven traffic, separate from traditional organic clicks. This enables you to determine whether AI Overviews are increasing traffic to your content or merely replacing it.

The UK influence. The implementation of AI controls seems to be influenced by regulatory pressures from the UK government regarding AI content licensing. This suggests that we may observe more regional variations in AI search controls as governments globally tackle issues surrounding AI and copyright.

Spam Policies Now Explicitly Cover AI Search Features

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

Key warnings include:

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

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

Enhancing AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Links

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

1. Improved source attribution — Links are now more prominently featured within AI responses
2. New carousel format — Sources are displayed in a swipeable carousel for easier access
3. Clearer anchor text — The context of links is more evident within AI-generated responses
4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now incorporates a wider variety of sources instead of repeating the same domains
5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has extended preferred sources to all languages worldwide

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

A Recap of the May 2026 Core Update

The May 2026 core update was implemented 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 influenced:

– Patterns of site reputation misuse (especially 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 refrain from making changes until the update is fully rolled out. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for substantial core updates to be completely implemented.

Essential Steps Following the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results

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

2. Analyse AI performance reports — Once available in your Search Console, evaluate how AI features impact your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with traditional organic traffic.

3. Consider AI opt-out options — Determine whether excluding AI features is sensible for specific pages. Weigh brand visibility against potential traffic implications.

4. Emphasise genuine optimisation — Google has explicitly cautioned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on establishing authentic authority rather than pursuing citation tricks.

5. Keep an eye on core update impacts — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before implementing adjustments. Allow time for the full rollout to complete.

What Remains Unchanged with the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?

Despite the recent adjustments, essential SEO principles continue to hold:

– Quality content is vital — AI systems favour authoritative, well-organised content. The path to AI visibility lies through genuine expertise.
– Technical competence remains crucial — Rapid loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup continue to be essential.
– User experience signals are critical — Google has noted that stronger competitors excel because they deliver a superior overall experience.
– Distributed authority enhances visibility — Brand mentions across platforms like Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with higher chances of AI citation.

While the changes in June 2026 appear substantial, 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 globally for over 30 years.
The Marketing Tutor offers extensive 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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