Google ceases support of FAQ-rich search results

Luke Meredith

Google has removed FAQ (frequently asked questions)-rich results from its search pages, marking the end of a feature that once helped websites stand out with expandable question-and-answer boxes.

The change was confirmed through an update to Google’s help documentation rather than a public blog post, and it follows several years of gradual limits on where FAQ results could appear.

FAQ-rich results stopped showing in Google Search on May 7, 2026. These results allowed users to see answers to common questions directly on the search page, without needing to click through to a website. Google said it will fully retire the supporting tools over the coming months.

In June, the FAQ search appearance filter, the dedicated report in Search Console and support in the Rich Results Test will be removed. Developers who rely on FAQ data through the Search Console API will have until August to update their systems before that support ends.

The company has not given a clear reason for the decision. Google simply stated that FAQ-rich results are no longer appearing in search and that the related reporting features are being dropped. This lack of explanation has left many publishers and marketers guessing about the motivation behind the move.

Although the visible feature is gone, Google says websites do not need to rush to remove FAQ structured data from their pages. The markup can stay in place and will not harm search performance, but it will no longer lead to FAQ boxes appearing in Google’s results.

This change did not come without warning. Google began scaling back FAQ-rich results several years ago. In 2023, the company limited them to well-known and authoritative government and health websites, while removing similar HowTo results from mobile search. At the time, most other sites lost access to the feature. The latest update appears to end the remaining eligibility, including for those government and health sources.

The timing of the removal has sparked discussion because FAQ schema is sometimes recommended as a way to make content clearer for AI (artificial intelligence) systems. However, Google has not linked the decision to artificial intelligence or said whether FAQ markup still plays any role in how AI-powered search tools understand web pages.

For website owners, the practical impact is fairly simple. Keeping or removing FAQ structured data will not change how pages rank or appear in Google Search today. However, staying on top of changes like this from Google can be important for how you manage your website. For expert advice you can count on, talk to us at Engage Web.

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Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.