Google Officially Eliminates FAQ Rich Results: Should You Get Rid of FAQ Schema?

Key Takeaways

• Google has officially ended support for rich FAQ results, ending a phase-out that began in 2023.
• Most websites don’t qualify for rich FAQ results for about three years, so the noticeable impact on search visibility is minimal.
• The declaration does not mean that the FAQ schema has lost its value.
• Organized FAQ markup can also help AI-powered search engines better understand your content.
• Website owners should maintain the existing FAQ schema and continue to use it where the question and answer format is a natural fit.

Google has officially ended support for rich results for the Google FAQ, bringing a long transition to an end.

For many retailers, the announcement may sound like a big change. In fact, many websites stopped receiving rich FAQ results in 2023 when Google restricted the feature to government and health websites. The latest update simply formalizes what many SEO experts have already seen in search results.

Some website owners may see issues as a reason to remove the FAQ markup altogether. That would be a mistake. While rich FAQ results have disappeared from Google search results, structured FAQ data can still help search engines and AI platforms understand your content.

Here’s what’s changed, why it’s important, and how you should approach the FAQ schema going forward.

What Has Changed About the Rich Results FAQ?

FAQ Rich Results Released Since 2023

In September 2023, Google dramatically reduced the visibility of rich FAQ results, limiting it mainly to the most popular government and health websites. For businesses, publishers, and many other organizations, the FAQ dropdown has largely disappeared from search.

Since then, many SEO experts have continued to use the FAQ schema despite the lack of rich visual results. A recent update to Google’s docs confirms that the rollout is complete.

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The Announcement Is a Text Update, Not a Standard Change

The latest announcement is primarily a document update rather than a new status signal.

Google does not introduce a new algorithm update or change the way websites are indexed. Instead, the company has updated its Search Central documentation to reflect the current state of rich FAQ results.

For most websites, there should be no noticeable change in traffic or search visibility because those rich results have been gone for years.

Why You Shouldn’t Remove FAQ Schema

The announcement may lead some site owners to question whether the FAQ schema is still worth maintaining.

That is understandable. If Google is no longer showing rich Google FAQ results, removing the tag may seem like a reasonable cleanup operation.

The reality is very different.

FAQ Schema still helps AI Understand Your Content

Structured data has always served a broader purpose than producing rich results.

The FAQ schema clearly identifies the questions and answers, making it easier for machines to understand how the information is organized on the page. As AI-powered search experiences become more common, that structured format may continue to help systems translate and target content more accurately.

Although Google has not yet confirmed that the FAQ schema directly influences AI citations, the planned content is consistent with the way major language models process information.

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Removing it Gives Little Benefit

And there is very little to be gained by removing the existing FAQ schema.

Removing the tag will not improve rankings, restore lost rich results, or provide meaningful performance benefits to most websites. At the same time, it removes structured information that may continue to support future search experiences.

If your FAQ markup accurately reflects the content on the page and follows Google’s structured data guidelines, leaving it in place is the most effective method.

The FAQ schema has not disappeared as it has been taken over by new work. The biggest risk is not losing rich results but effectively stripping away the markup that can still find a place in AI-generated answers.

As AI-powered search continues to evolve, structured data may play an important role in helping search engines and AI platforms interpret content. Keeping a well-implemented FAQ schema in place helps preserve that context while requiring little ongoing maintenance.

What These Changes Mean for Your SEO Strategy

Google’s announcement doesn’t require a new SEO playbook. Instead, it reinforces the importance of focusing on quality content and structured information rather than chasing individual search features.

Keep the Existing FAQ Schema in Place

If your pages already use the FAQ schema properly, there is little reason to remove it because the rich results are no longer displayed.

Structured data still helps describe your content in a consistent, machine-readable way. Keeping those markups in place allows your pages to stay organized for both traditional search engines and emerging AI experiences.

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Use FAQ Schema Where It Makes Sense

The FAQ schema should continue to support content that answers common questions.

Avoid adding FAQ sections to use structured data. Instead, use a tag if it enhances the reader’s page and reflects the actual information being presented.

This approach is consistent with Google’s long-term direction while creating content that is easy for both users and AI systems to understand.

Structured Data Still Has a Role in AI Search

Search continues to evolve beyond blue links, and structured data remains one way to help search engines interpret content.

Google’s decision to withdraw rich FAQ results doesn’t change that.

As AI-powered search experiences become more common, providing clear, well-organized information will likely remain important. The schema tag is one tool that helps achieve that, even if the physical search properties associated with it have changed.

For retailers, the takeaway is simple. Continue to use structured data when it really improves your content and resist the temptation to remove useful tags based on assumptions about future search behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

The conclusion

Google’s official retirement of rich Google FAQ results does not represent a major change for most websites. SERP visibility largely disappeared by 2023, making this announcement more of a confirmation than a surprise.

The most important thing is to avoid unnecessary changes. Removing the FAQ schema will not restore rankings or improve performance, and may reduce the systematic information available to search engines and AI platforms.

As search continues to evolve, creating useful content with clear, well-organized structured data remains a sound long-term strategy. Focus on providing answers that really help your audience, and use FAQ schema where it naturally supports that goal.

If you want to stay ahead of Google’s latest search developments, check out our resources on AI SEO and content strategies, or contact the NP Digital team to learn how the emerging search experience can fit into your long-term marketing strategy.