FAQ Rich Results Removed in Google’s Latest Update

Transformations in SEO: The Disappearance of FAQ Rich Results and the Rise of AI Controls

The SEO landscape underwent significant changes between May and June 2026 when Google made a pivotal announcement regarding the termination of FAQ Rich Results. This crucial shift marks a significant turning point, as Google quietly phased out FAQ rich results while simultaneously introducing groundbreaking AI search controls. These developments are far from minor; they indicate a comprehensive overhaul of how Google manages and displays search content.

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

Google officially announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available across all website categories, effective May 7, 2026. The FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals have diligently utilised over the years, will no longer produce expandable rich results in search.

This change affects all types of websites, including government and health sites that previously benefited from this feature.

What has been altered? Although the FAQPage markup still exists on web pages, Google Search has ceased to use it for displaying expandable FAQ sections. The rich result has effectively vanished from search engine results pages (SERPs).

What will be eliminated in June 2026? Google plans to remove the following:

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

What does this signify for your website? Websites that tailored their content strategies around the FAQ schema must urgently reassess their approach. The enhanced visibility in SERPs that FAQ rich results previously provided is no longer viable. However, the content of FAQs still holds value—Google continues to index and assess FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual display.

What actions should you take following the removal of FAQ Rich Results? Conduct a comprehensive audit of your FAQ pages to pinpoint schema-driven content that was solely included for search visibility. Concentrate on creating authentic Q&A content that addresses your audience's needs. Prioritising content quality is essential; depending on markup tactics is no longer effective.

Introducing AI Performance Reports in Search Console

In May 2026, Google initiated the rollout of AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports provide invaluable insights into your content's performance in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEO professionals have eagerly anticipated since the advent of generative search.

This rollout also introduced a compelling feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners now have the ability to exclude specific pages from AI search functionalities. This change addresses concerns raised by publishers regarding the usage of their content without remuneration, granting creators greater control over how their work is represented in AI responses.

Why is this significant in the context of the removal of FAQ Rich Results? For the first time, Google offers a distinct view of AI-driven traffic, separate from traditional organic clicks. This enables you to determine whether AI Overviews are generating traffic to your content or entirely replacing it.

The UK connection. The introduction of AI controls appears to be influenced by regulatory pressures from the UK government regarding AI content licensing. This suggests that variations in AI search controls may arise as governments worldwide confront AI and copyright challenges.

Clarification of Spam Policies Relating to AI Search Features

Google confirmed in May 2026 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
• – Creating content primarily designed to rank in AI responses instead of fulfilling user needs

This clarification indicates that any attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that violate Google's core principles will encounter the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The notion that “new channel, new rules” applies is incorrect—Google treats AI search as another avenue for its established ranking algorithms.

Improvements in AI Mode: Five Key Enhancements to Linking

In May and June 2026, Google unveiled five enhancements to linking within AI Mode and AI Overviews. These modifications aim to enhance the link-friendliness of AI-generated responses:

• 1. Enhanced source attribution — Links are now more prominently highlighted within AI responses
• 2. New carousel format — Sources are displayed in a swipeable carousel for easier access
• 3. Clarified anchor text — The context of links is now more explicit in AI-generated responses
• 4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now showcases a wider array of sources rather than repeating the same domains
• 5. Global rollout of preferred sources — Google has extended preferred sources to all languages worldwide

These changes directly address concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing users to source websites.

A Summary of the May 2026 Core Update

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

• – Instances of site reputation abuse, particularly among EU news outlets
• – Indicators of content quality across various sectors
• – User experience signals, with stronger competitors emerging in SERPs

Websites that experienced declines in ranking should refrain from implementing changes until the update is fully rolled out. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for significant core updates to be completely deployed.

Crucial Steps Following the Removal of FAQ Rich Results

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

2. Evaluate AI performance reports — Once available in your Search Console, assess how AI features influence your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with conventional organic traffic.

3. Consider AI opt-out options — Determine if excluding AI features for certain pages is advantageous. Balance brand visibility against potential traffic consequences.

4. Emphasise genuine optimisation — Google has explicitly cautioned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on building authentic authority rather than seeking citation shortcuts.

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 conclude.

What Remains Unchanged Despite the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?

Despite recent changes, fundamental SEO principles continue to apply:

• – Quality content remains essential — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. Achieving visibility in AI hinges on demonstrating genuine expertise.
• – Technical proficiency is vital — Fast loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup remain critical.
• – User experience signals are crucial — Google has observed that stronger competitors thrive by providing a superior overall experience.
• – Distributed authority enhances visibility — Brand mentions across platforms such as Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with increased chances of AI citation.

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

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	Compiled By: Geoff Lord The Marketing Tutor	Name Email HP

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/)

The article Google Update Report Says FAQ Rich Results Are Gone was first published on https://marketing-tutor.com