Major SEO Developments: Farewell to FAQ Rich Results and the Introduction of AI Controls
The SEO landscape underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026 when Google announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available. This declaration marks an important turning point, as Google has discreetly eliminated FAQ rich results while also rolling out new AI search controls. These changes are profound and indicate a comprehensive restructuring of how Google handles and presents search content.
The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results: Closing a Six-Year Era
On May 7, 2026, Google officially stated that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available for any website type. The widely used FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals spent years implementing, has stopped producing expandable rich results in search.
This alteration affects all types of websites, including those within the government and health sectors that previously gained a competitive advantage.
What has changed? Although 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).
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 does this mean for your website? Websites that built content strategies around the FAQ schema must urgently reassess their approaches. The enhanced visibility in SERPs that FAQ rich results provided is no longer an option. However, the content within FAQs still holds value—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual representation.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results have been discontinued? Review your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was primarily added for search visibility. Concentrate on crafting authentic Q&A content that genuinely meets user needs. Prioritising content quality is crucial; markup tricks are ineffective.
Unveiling AI Performance Reports in Search Console
In May 2026, Google began introducing 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 professionals have been anticipating since generative search emerged.
This rollout also introduced a significant new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude specific pages from AI search features. This change addresses concerns from publishers about content being used without compensation and gives creators the ability to manage how their work appears in AI-generated responses.
Why is this important now that FAQ Rich Results are gone? For the first time, Google offers a clear view of AI-driven traffic, distinct from traditional organic clicks. This enables you to determine whether AI Overviews are directing traffic to your content or merely replacing it.
The UK influence. The introduction of AI controls seems to be influenced by regulatory pressures from the UK government regarding AI content licensing. This suggests we may witness more regional differences in AI search controls as governments globally address AI and copyright issues.
Spam Policies Now Explicitly Cover AI Search Features
In May 2026, Google confirmed that existing spam policies extend 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 instead of genuinely serving users
This clarification signifies that any attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that violate Google’s core principles will incur the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The notion of “new channel, new rules” is a misconception—Google views AI search as yet another channel for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancing AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Linking
In May and June 2026, Google rolled out five enhancements to linking in AI Mode and AI Overviews. These upgrades aim to improve the linking capabilities of AI-generated responses:
- 1. Enhanced 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. Improved anchor text — The context of links is clearer within AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now showcases a wider variety of sources instead of repetitively featuring the same domains
- 5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has broadened preferred sources to encompass all languages globally
These modifications directly address concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing users to the original source websites.
A Review of the May 2026 Core Update
The May 2026 core update was executed in late May, with notable fluctuations peaking on May 30 and June 2. Google officially confirmed the rollout on June 4. This update seems to have impacted:
- – Patterns of site reputation misuse (especially among EU news outlets)
- – Signals of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience indicators, with stronger competitors advancing in SERPs
Websites that experienced ranking declines should refrain from making changes until the update is fully applied. Google typically necessitates 2-4 weeks for significant core updates to be completely implemented.
Essential Steps Following the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results
1. Assess FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was added solely for SERP visibility. Retain FAQ content that genuinely benefits users.
2. Examine 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 appropriate for specific pages. Balance brand visibility against potential traffic impacts.
4. Focus on authentic optimisation — Google explicitly cautions against manipulating AI citations. Build genuine authority instead of resorting to citation tricks.
5. Track the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before implementing adjustments. Allow time for the full rollout to transpire.
What Remains Unchanged with the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results?
Despite these recent modifications, fundamental SEO principles continue to apply:
- – Quality content is critical — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. Authentic expertise is essential for AI visibility.
- – Technical proficiency is crucial — Fast loading speeds, mobile optimisation, and clean markup remain vital.
- – User experience signals matter — Google has observed that stronger competitors thrive by providing 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.
Although the June 2026 changes appear significant, they serve as refinements to a system that continues to reward core behaviours: creating genuinely valuable content and establishing authentic online authority.
Subscribe to Our Mailing List for Valuable SEO Insights
 |
|
|
|---|
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
The Article FAQ Rich Results Are No Longer in Google Update Report Was Found On https://limitsofstrategy.com
