1 min read

Changes in Google's Rich Results: FAQs & How-Tos

Changes in Google's Rich Results: FAQs & How-Tos

Google is undergoing some significant alterations in its search results to enhance the overall search experience. These changes will impact two long-standing rich result types: FAQs and How-Tos. In this article, we'll explore the "what," "when," and "why" behind these changes.

The Overview of Changes

Google is making changes to how FAQ and How-To rich results are displayed in search results to provide a cleaner and more consistent experience. These changes were implemented globally in early August.

FAQ Rich Results

FAQ rich results, derived from FAQPage structured data, will now primarily appear for authoritative government and health websites. Other websites will see a reduction in the visibility of this rich result, and eligibility for it may be assessed automatically.

How-To Rich Results

How-To rich results, based on HowTo structured data, will be limited to desktop users and will not be displayed on mobile devices. To ensure these results appear on desktop, your website's mobile version must include the appropriate markup.

September 13 Update on Rich Results

Google's only reported documentation update in the last couple of days with a typo fix. HOWEVER, SEOs worldwide are seeing something happens anecdotally that hasn't been officially called yet:

FAQ rich results appear to be... gone. Dead. Flatlined. 

We are watching this happen all across our client portfolio and for all kinds of sites.

The takeaway? Don't event think about relying on this as a core part of your SEO strategy anymore - it's untenable at best, and a total waste of time at worst.


Changes in Search Console Reporting

The adjustments we "officially know about" will also reflect in the Search Console reporting for your website.

You'll notice changes in metrics related to FAQ and How-To search appearances in the performance report, along with the impressions reported in the relevant enhancement reports. Importantly, this update won't affect the number of items reported in enhancement reports, and the search appearances and reports will remain accessible in Search Console.

Global Rollout and Ranking Impact

It's essential to note that this update is not considered a ranking change and won't be featured in the Search status dashboard. Users might experience a slight delay in witnessing these alterations due to a small holdback experiment.

FAQ and How-To Rich Results

Google's forthcoming changes in displaying FAQ and How-To rich results aim to provide a more streamlined search experience.

These modifications will impact site owners who use structured data for FAQs and How-Tos.

While these adjustments might alter the visibility of rich results, they won't have adverse effects on search rankings. 

How to Write Effective Meta Descriptions

3 min read

How to Write Effective Meta Descriptions

A meta description plays a pivotal role in search engine optimization (SEO). It serves as a concise introduction for users, providing a sneak peek...

Read More
Google's Bard Enhancements and Integration with Google Services

1 min read

Google's Bard Enhancements and Integration with Google Services

Google has introduced new features to Bard, making it more capable and integrated with various Google apps and services.

Read More
Battle of the AI Titans: Google Bard vs. ChatGPT for SEO Domination

6 min read

Battle of the AI Titans: Google Bard vs. ChatGPT for SEO Domination

In a world where algorithms reign supreme, ChatGPT shook the digital landscape in November 2022, amassing a staggering 1 million users in just...

Read More
Is Technical SEO Still Relevant? Google's John Mueller Weighs In

2 min read

Is Technical SEO Still Relevant? Google's John Mueller Weighs In

In SEO, one question has been a topic of debate among professionals: Is technical SEO losing its significance? Well, Google's John Mueller's X...

Read More
Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) Removes Local Pack Results

2 min read

Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) Removes Local Pack Results

When Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) was introduced, it included local results from Google Business Profiles in a format known as the...

Read More
Google Local Pack Map Auto Expand Is Now Live

2 min read

Google Local Pack Map Auto Expand Is Now Live

Google is constantly working to enhance its user experience and provide more relevant and useful information to its users. One of the recent...

Read More