Google has announced the deprecation of FAQ Rich Results — those blocks of questions and answers that appeared in search results. For those who invested time and resources implementing the FAQPage schema, this news may feel like a bucket of cold water. However, like all changes from Google, it also brings opportunities.
What is changing exactly?
Google is removing support for FAQ rich results in search pages. This means that the FAQPage schema (structured data for Frequently Asked Questions) will no longer be displayed as an expanded result with visible questions on Google. The "search appearance" filter for FAQ will also be removed, along with support in the Rich Results Test.
Important: This does not mean that Google has stopped reading or using structured data. The FAQPage schema remains a valid format for content description, but it will no longer generate the expansive visual we were accustomed to.
Why is Google doing this?
Three factors explain the decision:
1. Rise of AI Overviews
Google's AI Overviews are already fulfilling the role of answering questions directly in the search result. With AI generating synthesized answers, the visual FAQ has lost its utility.
2. User Experience
Internal studies at Google indicated that users clicked less on websites when the FAQ already answered everything in the search result — which contradicts Google's goal of generating traffic to the open web.
3. Algorithm Simplification
Maintaining dozens of different rich results increases the complexity of the search algorithm. Google is simplifying its structured data ecosystem, focusing on those that generate the most value.
What to do now?
Do not remove the FAQPage schema
The FAQPage schema is still useful as a structured description of your content. It can be used by AI assistants, Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Moreover, nothing prevents Google from changing its mind in the future.
Invest in traditional FAQ content
Continue creating pages with real questions and answers — FAQ formatted content is valuable for users and ranks well organically, even without the visual rich result.
Migrate to AI Overviews strategy
Instead of trying to appear in FAQ rich results, focus on appearing within AI Overviews and Google Gemini responses. Content in a direct answer format, with structured data and authority, is the new path.
Diversify schemas
Distribute your structured data efforts among various types: Article, Product, HowTo, FAQ, VideoObject, BreadcrumbList. Do not put all your eggs in one schema basket.
Timeline of the change
Google removed the "search appearance" filter for FAQ and support in the Rich Results Test in May 2026. The visual FAQ may continue to appear for some time in search results while Google completes the transition.
Conclusion
FAQ rich results are numbered, but this is not a reason for panic. Google's direction is clear: well-structured content, with authority and organized data, will continue to be rewarded — only the format of the reward has changed. Want to review your technical SEO strategy? Talk to our SEO specialists. Kaizen Agency can help.