Key SEO Developments: Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results and Introduction of AI Controls
The SEO landscape underwent significant transformations between May and June 2026, as Google announced that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available. This pivotal shift marks a crucial change, with Google phasing out FAQ rich results while simultaneously rolling out innovative AI search controls. These changes are profound and represent a comprehensive restructuring of how Google manages and showcases search content.
Farewell to FAQ Rich Results: Closing a Six-Year Era
On May 7, 2026, Google officially stated that FAQ Rich Results are no longer available across all types of websites. The frequently used FAQPage schema markup, which SEO professionals have invested years in implementing, will no longer yield expandable rich results in search.
This alteration affects all website categories, including those in government and health sectors that once enjoyed a competitive advantage.
What changes should you be aware of? Although the FAQPage markup remains on sites, 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 modifications are anticipated 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 implications does this have for your website? Websites that developed strategies centred on the FAQ schema must quickly reassess their approaches. The enhanced visibility in SERPs that FAQ rich results offered is no longer viable. However, the content within FAQs is still relevant—Google continues to read and index FAQ information, albeit without the enhanced visual representation.
What steps should you take now that FAQ Rich Results have been discontinued? Examine 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. Content quality is crucial; manipulation of markup is not.
Unveiling AI Performance Reports in Search Console
In May 2026, Google began deploying 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 emergence of generative search.
This rollout also introduced a pivotal new feature: AI blocking controls. Website owners can now selectively exclude specific pages from AI search features. This change addresses concerns from publishers regarding content being used without compensation and empowers creators to manage how their work appears in AI-generated responses.
Why is this significant now that FAQ Rich Results are discontinued? 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 generating traffic to your content or simply replacing it.
The influence of UK regulations. The introduction of AI controls seems to be influenced by regulatory pressures from the UK government concerning AI content licensing. This suggests that we may encounter more regional variations in AI search controls as governments worldwide navigate the challenges of AI and copyright.
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.
Important warnings include:
- – Manipulating citations for AI search
- – Purchasing mentions or citations
- – Creating 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 incur the same penalties as traditional black-hat SEO. The notion of “new channel, new rules” is misleading—Google perceives AI search as just another pathway for its established ranking algorithms.
Enhancing AI Mode: Five Essential Improvements to Links
During May and June 2026, Google implemented 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. New carousel format — Sources are displayed in a swipeable carousel for easier access
- 3. Clearer anchor text — The context of links is more apparent within AI-generated responses
- 4. Diverse source representation — AI Mode now showcases a broader range of sources rather than repeating the same domains
- 5. Global expansion of preferred sources — Google has widened its preferred sources to include all languages worldwide
These changes 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 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, particularly among EU news outlets
- – Signals of content quality across various sectors
- – User experience signals, with stronger competitors gaining ground in SERPs
Websites experiencing ranking drops should refrain from making changes until the update is fully implemented. Google typically requires 2-4 weeks for significant core updates to be completely rolled out.
Essential Action Steps Following the Discontinuation of FAQ Rich Results
1. Reassess FAQ schema implementation — Remove FAQPage markup if it was added solely for SERP visibility. Keep FAQ content that genuinely serves users.
2. Review 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. Evaluate AI opt-out options — Determine whether excluding AI features is beneficial for specific pages. Balance brand visibility with potential traffic implications.
4. Focus on authentic optimisation — Google has expressly warned against manipulating AI citations. Concentrate on building genuine authority instead of pursuing citation tricks.
5. Track 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 Removal of FAQ Rich Results?
Despite these recent changes, fundamental SEO principles continue to apply:
- – Quality content is crucial — AI systems favour authoritative, well-structured content. Genuine expertise is the path to AI visibility.
- – Technical proficiency is essential — Fast loading times, mobile optimisation, and clean markup remain vital.
- – User experience signals are key — Google has noted that stronger competitors thrive due to superior overall experiences.
- – Distributed authority enhances visibility — Brand mentions across platforms such as Wikipedia, news outlets, forums, and social media correlate with increased chances of AI citation.
While the changes in June 2026 appear significant, they refine a system that still rewards core behaviours: producing 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
