Major SEO Transformations: The Conclusion of FAQ Rich Results and the Introduction of AI Controls
The SEO landscape underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026, as Google announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer supported. This declaration marks an important milestone, highlighting Google’s gradual discontinuation of FAQ rich results while unveiling new AI search controls. These changes are profound and indicate a comprehensive restructuring of Google’s approach to managing and showcasing search content.
Farewell to FAQ Rich Results: Concluding a Six-Year Era
On May 7, 2026, Google officially confirmed the discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results across all website categories. The long-standing FAQPage schema markup, which SEO specialists invested years in implementing, will no longer yield expandable rich results in search queries.
This alteration affects a wide range of websites, including those in government and health sectors, which previously benefited from enhanced visibility.
What changes are in effect? Although the FAQPage markup remains intact 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 altogether
- – The FAQ rich result report within Search Console
- – FAQ support in the Rich Results Test tool
- – FAQ support in the Search Console API
What implications does this have for your website? Websites that built content strategies around the FAQ schema must urgently reassess their approaches. The enhanced SERP visibility previously provided by FAQ rich results is no longer attainable. However, the content contained within FAQs remains valuable—Google still indexes and reads FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual display.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are discontinued? Evaluate your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was primarily added for search visibility. Prioritise creating genuine Q&A content that effectively addresses user needs. Quality of content is crucial; relying on markup manipulations is not.
Launch of AI Performance Reports in Search Console
In May 2026, Google initiated the rollout of AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports provide insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEO experts have eagerly anticipated since the rise of generative search.
This rollout introduced a significant new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude certain pages from AI search features. This development addresses concerns from publishers regarding the use of their content without compensation and allows creators to manage how their work appears in AI-generated responses.
Why is this significant with the discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results? For the first time, Google provides a distinct view of AI-driven traffic, separate from conventional organic clicks. This enables you to determine whether AI Overviews are directing traffic to your content or simply 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 that we may observe more regional variations 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 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 designed to rank in AI responses rather than genuinely serving users
This clarification indicates 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 misleading—Google regards AI search as another pathway for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancing AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Links
During May and June 2026, Google introduced five enhancements to linking within AI Mode and AI Overviews. These upgrades aim to make AI-generated responses more conducive to linking:
- 1. Improved source attribution — Links are now more prominently featured within AI responses
- 2. Innovative carousel format — Sources are displayed in a swipeable carousel for easier navigation
- 3. Clearer anchor text — The context of links is more explicit within AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sourcing — AI Mode now showcases a wider variety of sources instead of repeating the same domains
- 5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has broadened preferred sources to encompass all languages globally
These modifications directly respond to concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing users to the original source websites.
A Recap 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 confirmed the rollout on June 4. This update appears to have influenced:
- – Patterns of site reputation misuse (especially among EU news platforms)
- – Signals of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience signals, with stronger competitors advancing in SERPs
Websites that encountered ranking declines should refrain from making changes until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for major core updates to be completely rolled out.
Crucial Action Steps Following the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results
1. Reassess FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was solely for SERP visibility. Retain FAQ content that genuinely adds value for users.
2. Analyse AI performance reports — Once accessible in your Search Console, examine how AI features impact your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with traditional organic traffic.
3. Consider AI opt-out options — Evaluate whether excluding AI features is beneficial for certain pages. Weigh brand visibility against possible traffic impacts.
4. Prioritise genuine optimisation — Google has clearly cautioned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on establishing authentic authority rather than pursuing citation gimmicks.
5. Track the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before making adjustments. Allow adequate time for the full rollout to conclude.
What Remains Unchanged Following the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?
Even with these recent changes, core SEO principles are still relevant:
- – High-quality content is vital — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. The path to AI visibility is through authentic expertise.
- – Technical skills continue to be crucial — Fast loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup are still essential.
- – User experience signals matter — Google has noted that stronger competitors succeed because they deliver a superior overall experience.
- – Widespread authority enhances visibility — Brand mentions across platforms such as Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with higher chances of AI citation.
While the June 2026 modifications appear significant, they are refinements to a system that continues to reward essential behaviours: creating genuinely valuable content and building authentic online authority.
Subscribe to Our Mailing List for Invaluable 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 Confirms 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
