Significant SEO Developments: The End of FAQ Rich Results and the Launch of AI Controls
The SEO landscape experienced a major shift from May to June 2026, when Google announced that FAQ Rich Results have been discontinued. This announcement represents a crucial turning point, as Google has quietly phased out these rich results while concurrently introducing innovative AI search controls. These changes are not trivial; they suggest a thorough re-evaluation of how Google handles and displays search content.
FAQ Rich Results Discontinued: Closing a Six-Year Era
Google officially stated that FAQ Rich Results are no longer accessible across all website types as of 7 May 2026. The FAQPage schema markup that SEO experts have dedicated years to implementing will no longer generate expandable rich results in search.
This alteration impacts all categories of websites, including those in government and health sectors that previously enjoyed a competitive edge.
What has changed? Although the FAQPage markup remains present on web pages, Google Search has stopped using it to display expandable FAQ sections. The rich result has effectively disappeared from search engine results pages (SERPs).
What will be eliminated in 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
Implications for your website. Websites that have built their content strategies around the FAQ schema must reassess their methods immediately. The enhanced visibility in SERPs that FAQ rich results provided is no longer an option. Nevertheless, the content of FAQs retains its importance—Google will continue to read and index FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual format.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are eliminated? Conduct a thorough audit of your FAQ pages for schema-driven content aimed solely at search visibility. Focus on creating genuine Q&A content that truly meets users' needs. The content's quality is paramount; gimmicky markup has lost its appeal.
AI Performance Reports Now Available in Search Console
In May 2026, Google began rolling out AI performance reports within Search Console. These reports offer insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEOs have eagerly awaited since the advent of generative search.
This update also introduces an intriguing feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now opt to exclude certain pages from AI search functionalities. This change addresses publishers' concerns regarding the use of their content without compensation and allows creators to manage how their work is presented in AI-generated responses.
Why does this matter now that FAQ Rich Results are gone? For the first time, Google provides a distinct view of AI-driven traffic, separate from traditional organic clicks. This enables you to ascertain whether AI Overviews are directing traffic to your content or supplanting it.
The UK connection. The launch of AI controls appears to be shaped by regulatory pressures from the UK government concerning AI content licensing. This indicates that further regional variations in AI search controls may emerge as governments worldwide navigate the complexities of AI and copyright issues.
Spam Policies Now Explicitly Cover 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
- – Crafting content specifically to rank in AI responses rather than addressing user needs
This clarification suggests that attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that breach Google's core guidelines will face the same repercussions as traditional black-hat SEO. The idea of “new channel, new rules” is a misconception—Google treats AI search as just another pathway for their established ranking algorithms.
Enhancements in AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Linking
During May and June 2026, Google introduced five enhancements to linking within AI Mode and AI Overviews. These adjustments aim to improve the link-friendliness of AI-generated responses:
- 1. Enhanced source attribution — Links are now featured more prominently 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 in AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now presents 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 modifications directly address the concerns of publishers who felt that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing readers to original source websites.
A Summary of the May 2026 Core Update
The May 2026 core update was rolled out in late May, with noticeable fluctuations peaking on 30 May and 2 June. Google officially confirmed the update's rollout on 4 June. This update appears to have influenced:
- – Patterns of site reputation misuse (particularly among EU news outlets)
- – Signals of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience signals, with stronger competitors rising in SERPs
Websites that experienced ranking drops should refrain from making alterations until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for major core updates to be completely established.
Essential Steps Following the Elimination of FAQ Rich Results
1. Review FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was solely added for SERP visibility. Keep FAQ content that genuinely provides value to 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 — Assess whether excluding AI features is beneficial for specific pages. Balance brand visibility with potential traffic implications.
4. Focus on authentic optimisation — Google has explicitly warned against manipulating AI citations. Concentrate on establishing genuine authority rather than pursuing citation shortcuts.
5. Monitor the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes prior to making adjustments. Allow sufficient time for the full rollout to conclude.
What Remains Consistent Despite the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?
Even with these recent changes, fundamental SEO principles remain applicable:
- – Quality content remains paramount — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. The path to AI visibility is through genuine expertise.
- – Technical excellence is essential — Fast loading speeds, mobile optimisation, and clean markup continue to be critical.
- – User experience signals hold importance — Google has indicated that stronger competitors succeed due to their superior overall experience.
- – Widespread authority improves visibility — Brand mentions across platforms like Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media enhance the likelihood of AI citation.
Although the changes in June 2026 appear significant, they are refinements to a system that continues to reward core practices: producing genuinely valuable content and establishing authentic online authority.
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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/)
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
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