GOOGLE NO LONGER SHOWS FAQ RICH RESULTS.
For years, adding FAQ markup could make a page show expandable questions under its link in Google. Many small business websites, plugins and SEO checklists still add it. Google has now retired that result. Here is what Google's changelog says, and what to do with the markup already on your site.
AT A GLANCE
By Conqueror Capital · Published
The change: Google added a deprecation notice on May 8, 2026, saying FAQ rich results would no longer appear starting May 7, 2026, and removed the documentation on June 15, 2026.1
WHAT CHANGED
In an entry dated May 8, 2026, Google's documentation changelog says it added a deprecation notice to the FAQ rich result documentation, because the feature would no longer appear in Google Search starting May 7, 2026.1
A later entry dated June 15, 2026 says Google removed the documentation for the FAQ rich result feature, because it is no longer shown in Google Search results.1 The old FAQ documentation address now leads to the changelog rather than a how-to page.
So there are three dates: the feature stopped showing from May 7, the notice was added May 8, and the documentation was removed June 15, all in 2026.1
WHAT A FAQ RICH RESULT WAS
A FAQ rich result was the set of expandable questions and answers that could appear directly under a page's link in Google. Sites became eligible by adding FAQPage structured data, a block of code describing the questions and answers on the page.
Many website builders, SEO plugins and agencies added this markup by default to service pages and homepages. That code may still be on your site. Google's changelog is about the search feature: the result no longer appears.1
WHO IT AFFECTS
- Businesses whose search listings used to show questions under the link, and now don't.
- Sites with an SEO plugin or theme that adds FAQ markup automatically.
- Owners paying for "FAQ schema" as a line item in an SEO package.
- Anyone following an older SEO checklist that recommends FAQ markup to take up more space in results.
If your listing changed after May 7, 2026, this may be why. It is not, by itself, a sign of a penalty. The changelog describes the feature being retired for everyone.1
WHAT ABOUT AI SEARCH?
Some vendors now say FAQ markup still matters for AI answers. Google's guide on generative AI features says structured data isn't required for generative AI search and that there is no special schema.org markup you need to add. It also says it is a good idea to keep using structured data as part of your overall SEO strategy, because it helps with eligibility for rich results.2
The same guide says you don't need to rewrite content just for AI systems or break it into tiny pieces.2 Google's separate guidance on SEO tools says to be wary of services that imply Google approves what they do, and to check advice against official Google documentation.3
QUICK QUESTIONS
Did Google say FAQ markup will hurt my site?
No. The changelog entries say the feature no longer appears and the documentation was removed. They don't describe any penalty for markup that is still on a page.1
Does this change how Google treats FAQ pages?
The changelog only covers the rich result display.1 A useful FAQ page is still ordinary content that people can find and read.
Do I need new markup for AI Overviews instead?
Google says no special schema.org markup is needed for its generative AI features.2
WHAT TO DO NOW
- Keep genuinely useful FAQ content. Answers to real customer questions (pricing approach, service area, what to expect) still help the people reading your page. The retired feature was the search display, not the value of answering questions.
- Stop paying for FAQ markup as a ranking tactic. Google no longer shows the result it was used for.1
- Don't panic about existing markup. Google's changelog does not tell site owners to remove it.1 If you clean it up, do it as part of normal maintenance, and make sure the visible questions stay on the page.
- Focus markup on what still applies. For a local business, that usually means accurate business details. Our schema markup guide covers what to include.
- Update your checklists. If your team or vendor uses an SEO checklist, remove the FAQ rich result item.
If you want your site checked for leftover or incorrect markup, that is part of how we build and maintain websites.
SOURCES
- Google Search Central, Latest documentation updates, entries dated May 8, June 5, June 15 and September 16, 2026.
- Google Search Central, Optimizing for generative AI features on Search.
- Google Search Central, Google Search's guidance on using third-party SEO tools, services, and advice, last updated June 5, 2026.
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