Major SEO Updates: Farewell to FAQ Rich Results and Introduction of AI Control Features
The SEO landscape underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026 when Google announced the discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results. This announcement marks a pivotal moment, as Google has systematically phased out FAQ rich results while also unveiling new AI search controls. These adjustments represent a comprehensive overhaul of how Google handles and presents search content.
The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results: Closing a Chapter After Six Years
On May 7, 2026, Google officially stated that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available across all types of websites. The long-standing FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals invested years to implement, has stopped producing expandable rich results in search.
This significant change impacts every category of website, including those in government and health sectors that previously enjoyed a competitive edge.
What exactly has changed? Although the FAQPage markup may still exist on websites, Google Search will not use it to showcase expandable FAQ sections. The rich result format has effectively vanished from search engine results pages (SERPs).
What can we expect in June 2026? Google plans to eliminate the following:
- – The complete removal of the FAQ search appearance
- – The FAQ rich result report in Search Console
- – FAQ support in the Rich Results Test tool
- – FAQ support in the Search Console API
What does this mean for your website? Websites that centred their content strategies around the FAQ schema must urgently reassess their approaches. The enhanced SERP visibility that FAQ rich results once provided is no longer an option. However, the content within FAQs remains valuable—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, even without the enhanced visual representation.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are discontinued? Review your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was primarily added for search visibility. Focus on crafting authentic Q&A content that genuinely addresses user needs. Prioritise content quality over markup gimmicks.
Launching 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 professionals have been eagerly anticipating since the rise of generative search.
This rollout also introduced a significant new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude specific pages from AI search features. This move responds to publishers’ concerns about content being used without compensation and empowers creators to regulate how their work appears in AI-generated responses.
Why is this significant 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 allows you to determine whether AI Overviews are directing traffic to your content or merely replacing it.
The influence of UK regulations. 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 more regional variations in AI search controls as governments worldwide contend with AI and copyright challenges.
Spam Policies Now Explicitly Cover AI Search Features
In May 2026, Google confirmed that current 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 instead of genuinely serving users
This clarification indicates that any attempts at Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) that violate Google’s core principles will face the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The notion of “new channel, new rules” is misleading—Google views AI search as simply another avenue for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancing AI Mode: Five Key Improvements to Links
Throughout May and June 2026, Google introduced five enhancements to linking in AI Mode and AI Overviews. These improvements aim to make AI-generated responses more conducive to linking:
- 1. Enhanced source attribution — Links are now more prominently featured within AI responses
- 2. New carousel format — Sources are now displayed in a swipeable carousel for easier access
- 3. Improved anchor text — The context of links is clearer within AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sources — AI Mode now includes a wider array of sources rather than repeating the same domains
- 5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has broadened preferred sources to encompass all languages worldwide
These changes directly address concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing readers back to the original source websites.
An Overview of the May 2026 Core Update
The May 2026 core update was rolled out in late May, with noticeable fluctuations peaking on May 30 and June 2. Google officially confirmed the rollout on June 4. This update seems to have impacted:
- – Patterns of site reputation misuse (notably among EU news outlets)
- – Signals of content quality across various industries
- – User experience signals, with stronger competitors rising in SERPs
Websites that experienced ranking drops should refrain from making changes until the update is fully executed. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for significant core updates to be completely rolled out.
Essential Steps After the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results
1. Review FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was added solely for SERP visibility. Keep FAQ content that truly benefits users.
2. Evaluate AI performance reports — Once available in your Search Console, analyse how AI features impact your traffic. Compare AI-driven clicks with traditional organic traffic.
3. Consider AI opt-out options — Determine whether excluding AI features makes sense for specific pages. Weigh brand visibility against potential traffic impacts.
4. Prioritise genuine optimisation — Google has clearly warned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on establishing authentic authority rather than pursuing citation tricks.
5. Monitor the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before making any adjustments. Allow time for the full rollout to complete.
What Remains Unchanged Despite the Removal of FAQ Rich Results?
Despite these recent shifts, fundamental SEO principles continue to hold:
- – Quality content is crucial — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. The path to AI visibility is through authentic expertise.
- – Technical proficiency is essential — Quick loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup remain vital.
- – User experience signals matter — Google has observed that stronger competitors excel by providing 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.
While the changes in June 2026 seem significant, they refine a system that continues to reward core behaviours: creating 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
