Major Changes in SEO: The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results and the Introduction of AI Controls
The SEO landscape underwent a significant transformation between May and June 2026, following Google’s announcement that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available. This marks an important development as Google has discreetly phased out FAQ rich results while simultaneously launching advanced AI search controls. These changes are substantial and signify a comprehensive reorganisation of how Google handles and presents search content.
The Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results: Concluding a Six-Year Era
On May 7, 2026, Google officially stated that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available for all website types. The FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals invested years in implementing, will no longer produce expandable rich results in search results.
This alteration affects a wide range of websites, including those in the government and health sectors that previously held a competitive advantage.
What has changed? Although the FAQPage markup can still be found on websites, Google Search will not utilise it for displaying expandable FAQ sections. The rich result has effectively vanished from search engine results pages (SERPs).
What are the upcoming changes for June 2026? Google plans to eliminate:
- – The FAQ search appearance entirely
- – 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 imply for your website? Websites that centred their content strategies around the FAQ schema need to reassess their approaches immediately. The enhanced visibility previously offered by FAQ rich results is no longer an option. However, the content contained within FAQs still holds value—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, though without the enhanced visual representation.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available? Examine your FAQ pages for schema-driven content that was added primarily for search visibility. Focus on developing authentic Q&A content that genuinely addresses user needs. Quality content is essential; markup tricks are no longer effective.
Launching AI Performance Reports in Search Console
In May 2026, Google started rolling out AI performance reports in Search Console. These reports will provide insights into how your content performs in AI Overviews and AI Mode—features that SEO professionals have eagerly anticipated since the rise of generative search.
This rollout also brought a significant new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude certain pages from AI search features. This decision addresses publishers’ concerns regarding content being utilised without compensation and empowers creators to manage how their work is presented in AI-generated responses.
Why is this important with the discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results? 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 driving traffic to your content or merely replacing it.
The Influence of the UK. 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 differences in AI search controls as governments globally confront AI and copyright issues.
Spam Policies Explicitly Include 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
- – Creating content specifically aimed at ranking 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 incur the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The notion of “new channel, new rules” is misleading—Google views AI search as just another channel for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancements to AI Mode: Five Key Improvements for Links
During May and June 2026, Google implemented five enhancements to linking in AI Mode and AI Overviews. These advancements aim to enhance the linking capabilities of AI-generated responses:
- 1. Improved source attribution — Links are now more prominently featured within AI responses
- 2. New carousel format — Sources are presented in a swipeable carousel for easier navigation
- 3. Clearer anchor text — The context of links is more apparent within AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse sources — 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 worldwide
These modifications directly address concerns from publishers that AI Overviews were “stealing” traffic without directing readers to the original source websites.
A Comprehensive Overview of the May 2026 Core Update
The May 2026 core update was implemented in late May, with noticeable fluctuations peaking on May 30 and June 2. Google officially confirmed the rollout on June 4. This update appears to have impacted:
- – Patterns of site reputation misuse, particularly among EU news outlets
- – Signals of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience indicators, with stronger competitors gaining ground in SERPs
Websites that experienced drops in ranking should refrain from making changes until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for substantial core updates to be completely rolled out.
Important Action Steps Following the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results
1. Review FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was added solely for SERP visibility. Retain FAQ content that genuinely benefits users.
2. Evaluate AI performance reports — Once available in your Search Console, assess 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 specific pages. Balance brand visibility against potential traffic consequences.
4. Prioritise genuine optimisation — Google has clearly warned against manipulating AI citations. Focus on cultivating authentic authority rather than resorting to citation tricks.
5. Monitor the effects of core updates — If affected by the May 2026 update, document changes before making adjustments. Allow time for the full rollout to complete.
What Remains Unchanged with the Elimination of FAQ Rich Results?
Despite the recent modifications, core SEO principles continue to hold:
- – Quality content is crucial — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. Genuine expertise is the path to AI visibility.
- – Technical skills remain essential — Quick loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup are still vital.
- – User experience signals are significant — Google has indicated that stronger competitors succeed due to superior overall experiences.
- – 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 changes seem substantial, they are refinements to a system that continues to reward essential 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
