Google has pulled the plug on one of the most popular structured data features used by publishers worldwide. FAQ rich results — the expandable question-and-answer boxes that once gave sites extra real estate on the search results page — are no longer appearing.
If you’ve been using FAQ schema hoping to grab that extra space in Google Search, it’s time to accept reality — those expandable boxes are officially gone.
On May 7, 2026, Google made the final cut. What started as a gradual reduction in visibility years ago has now become a complete deprecation. The expandable FAQ rich results that many sites relied on for increased click-through rates have disappeared from search results across the globe.
The Official Timeline
According to Google’s updated documentation, here’s what’s happening:
• May 7, 2026 – FAQ rich results stopped appearing in Google Search
• June 2026 – The FAQ search appearance filter, rich result report, and support in the Rich Results Test will be removed
• August 2026 – API support for FAQ rich results in Search Console will be discontinued
This marks the end of a long journey. Google had already limited FAQ rich results to only well-known government and health websites in previous years. Now, even that exception is gone.
Why Google Is Doing This
The main reason is abuse. Over the years, too many sites used FAQ schema to stuff keywords and create low-value content just to game the system. Google decided it was time to clean house and focus on genuinely helpful content instead of markup tricks.
A senior SEO analyst in Johannesburg told me: “We all knew this day was coming. FAQ rich results had become so spammy that they were losing their value anyway. Google is clearly pushing everyone toward creating better content that actually answers user questions naturally.”
What Should Website Owners Do Now?
The good news? You don’t have to rush and remove your FAQ schema markup immediately. Google still says FAQPage structured data can help it better understand your content. It just won’t trigger those special rich results anymore.
Smart moves for 2026 include:
• Focus on creating high-quality, naturally written FAQ sections that genuinely help users
• Optimise for People Also Ask (PAA) and AI Overviews
• Use other structured data types like HowTo, Article, and Review where appropriate
• Prioritise E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
The Bigger Shift in Search
This change is part of Google’s larger move toward AI-powered search. With AI Overviews becoming more prominent, the old way of winning extra real estate through schema is fading. The new game is about being cited as a trusted source in AI-generated answers.
For African publishers and tech companies, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Those who invest in original, authoritative content will stand a better chance of being referenced in the new AI-driven results.
The Future of SEO in 2026 and Beyond
Google’s message is loud and clear: stop trying to game the system with markup. Focus on creating content that real people find valuable. The sites that adapt quickest to this new reality — by producing in-depth, trustworthy material — will be the ones that thrive as search continues evolving.
The era of easy FAQ rich result wins is officially over. Now begins the harder, but ultimately more rewarding, work of building genuinely helpful digital experiences.
