Major SEO Changes: The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results and Introduction of AI Controls
The SEO landscape underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026, marked by Google’s announcement that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available. This pivotal change indicates a substantial shift, as Google has discreetly phased out FAQ rich results while rolling out new AI search controls. These developments reflect a comprehensive rethinking of how Google organises and presents search content.
The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results: Ending a Six-Year Trend
Google officially confirmed that FAQ Rich Results are no longer accessible for all website types starting from May 7, 2026. The FAQPage schema markup, which SEO experts have diligently implemented over the years, will no longer produce expandable rich results in search.
This update affects all categories of websites, including government and health sites that previously benefited from this feature.
What changes should you be aware of? While FAQPage markup remains on web pages, Google Search has ceased using it to showcase expandable FAQ sections. The rich result has entirely vanished from search engine results pages (SERPs).
What additional removals are there planned for June 2026? Google aims to eliminate:
- – The FAQ search appearance altogether
- – The FAQ rich result report in Search Console
- – FAQ support in the Rich Results Test tool
- – FAQ support in the Search Console API
How does this impact your website? Websites that developed content strategies around the FAQ schema must urgently reassess their approaches. The enhanced visibility in SERPs that FAQ rich results once provided is no longer an option. However, the content of FAQs remains significant—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, but without the enhanced visual representation.
What actions should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are eliminated? Review your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was added solely for search visibility. Concentrate on creating genuine Q&A content that effectively addresses user needs. Prioritise content quality over markup tricks.
Introducing AI Performance Reports in Search Console
In May 2026, Google started the rollout of AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports are designed to deliver insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEOs have been looking forward to since the advent of generative search.
This rollout includes a crucial addition: AI blocking controls. Website owners now have the ability to exclude specific pages from AI search features. This adjustment addresses publishers’ concerns over content being used without compensation and empowers creators with greater control over how their work appears in AI responses.
Why is this significant now that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available? For the first time, Google offers a clear view of AI-driven traffic, separate from conventional organic clicks. This allows you to ascertain whether AI Overviews are enhancing traffic to your content or supplanting it.
The influence from the UK. The introduction of AI controls appears to be influenced by regulatory pressures from the UK government regarding AI content licensing. This suggests that we may see further regional variations in AI search controls as governments globally tackle AI and copyright issues.
Explicit Spam Policies for AI Search Features
Google confirmed in May 2026 that existing spam policies now encompass AI search features, including AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Important warnings include:
- – Manipulating citations for AI search
- – Purchasing mentions or citations
- – Creating content specifically designed to rank in AI responses instead of addressing user needs
This clarification indicates that any attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that breach Google’s core guidelines will incur the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The idea of “new channel, new rules” is misleading—Google perceives AI search as merely another avenue for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancements in AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Links
Google introduced five enhancements to linking in AI Mode and AI Overviews during May and June 2026. These upgrades are designed to make AI-generated responses more link-friendly:
- 1. Enhanced source attribution — Links are now displayed more prominently within AI responses
- 2. New carousel format — Sources are organised in a swipeable carousel for easier navigation
- 3. Clearer anchor text — The context of links is now more explicit in AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now showcases a wider variety of sources rather than repeating the same domains
- 5. Global rollout of preferred sources — Google has implemented preferred sources across all languages worldwide
These modifications directly address publishers’ concerns that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing readers back to the source websites.
A Summary of the May 2026 Core Update
The May 2026 core update was rolled out in late May, with significant fluctuations observed peaking on May 30 and June 2. Google officially acknowledged the rollout on June 4. This update seems to have affected:
- – Patterns of site reputation manipulation, particularly among EU news outlets
- – Indicators of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience metrics, with stronger competitors climbing in SERPs
Websites experiencing ranking drops should avoid making changes until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for major core updates to be entirely rolled out.
Essential Action Steps After the Removal of FAQ Rich Results
1. Review your FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was solely added for SERP visibility. Retain FAQ content that genuinely serves user needs.
2. Assess AI performance reports — Once they are available in your Search Console, analyse how AI features influence your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with traditional organic traffic.
3. Consider AI opt-out options — Determine if excluding AI features is suitable for specific pages. Weigh brand visibility against potential traffic impacts.
4. Emphasise genuine optimisation — Google has cautioned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on building authentic authority rather than pursuing citation tricks.
5. Track the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before implementing adjustments. Allow adequate time for the full rollout to complete.
What Remains Unchanged After the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results?
Even with the recent changes, fundamental SEO principles still apply:
- – Quality content is essential — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. The path to visibility in AI relies on genuine expertise.
- – Technical excellence remains critical — Fast loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup continue to be vital.
- – User experience signals are important — Google has observed that stronger competitors succeed because they provide a superior overall experience.
- – Distributed authority enhances visibility — Brand mentions across platforms like Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with a higher likelihood of AI citation.
Although the changes in June 2026 may seem significant, they are refinements that continue to reward core behaviours: producing genuinely valuable content and establishing authentic online authority.
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Sources.
– [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
