Usually no as a new task. Google stopped showing the FAQ rich result on May 7, 2026. Keep accurate FAQPage markup only when it mirrors useful visible answers and costs little to maintain. Put new schema work into LocalBusiness markup first when the page visibly supports the business name and physical address. Valid markup does not guarantee a Search appearance or determine how the page ranks.
Is FAQ schema worth adding to a local business website in 2026?
Usually no, if the only reason is the FAQ rich result. Google’s May 7, 2026 changelog says FAQ rich results would no longer appear in Search. The June 15, 2026 update removed the FAQ rich-result documentation because the feature was no longer shown. Keep the visible questions and answers if they help customers, but do not add markup solely to chase that retired appearance.
| Decision | What is true now | What it does not promise |
|---|---|---|
Add FAQPage markup when it mirrors visible questions and answers and is inexpensive to maintain |
It gives Google a standardized description of that page content. | A Google FAQ rich result, which no longer appears in Search. |
| Keep a clear visible FAQ without markup | Customers can still read the answers on the page. | Structured data clues about the meaning of that content. |
Add LocalBusiness markup where the page visibly supports the business name and physical address |
Google says it can describe business facts and may support business-related Search appearances. | A knowledge panel, a carousel, or a change in local ranking. |
What changed about FAQ rich results in 2026?
Google changed the Search feature, not the Schema.org definition. Schema.org still defines FAQPage as a WebPage presenting one or more frequently asked questions. Google’s documentation records two separate dates for the Search feature:
- May 7, 2026: the FAQ rich result stopped appearing in Google Search.
- June 15, 2026: Google removed the FAQ rich-result documentation because the feature was no longer shown in Search results.
The dates describe Google Search eligibility for the rich result. They do not make a visible FAQ useless, and they do not change what FAQPage means in Schema.org.
What does FAQPage schema tell Google?
FAQPage structured data gives Google explicit clues about the meaning of a page that presents frequently asked questions and answers. Google’s introduction to structured data describes it as a standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying its content. The markup belongs on the page that contains the FAQ, not on a blank page created only to hold it.
Every marked-up question and answer must be visible to customers on the page. Google says not to add structured data about information that customers cannot see, even when the information is accurate. A practical FAQ therefore starts with useful on-page answers, then adds markup only when the markup matches those answers.
Does FAQ schema improve local ranking?
Treat FAQ schema as a way to describe content, not as a promise of a local-ranking change. Google says correct structured data can enable a Search feature but does not guarantee that the feature will appear. Google also says a structured-data manual action removes rich-result eligibility without changing how the page ranks in web search. The Rich Results Test catches most technical errors. It does not prove eligibility, display, or ranking.
The LocalBusiness schema answer covers the separate question of what business markup tells Google. For the wider context, use the local SEO hub to keep structured data in proportion to the rest of a local business website.
Should a local business use LocalBusiness schema instead?
Often, yes, when the business publishes a customer-facing physical address and the priority is describing the business itself. Google says LocalBusiness structured data can provide business hours, departments, reviews about other local businesses, and more. Google says searches may show a business knowledge panel or a carousel for a type of business, so those appearances remain conditional rather than promised.
Google lists two required properties for LocalBusiness rich-result eligibility:
| Property | What it means |
|---|---|
name |
The business name. |
address |
The physical location, represented as a PostalAddress. |
Put the markup on a page that contains information about the business, even though Google permits LocalBusiness markup on any page. Define each location separately and use the most specific applicable LocalBusiness subtype. Keep every declared fact visible and accurate, including the physical address.
How should I decide whether structured data is worth the work?
Use a small before-and-after test instead of assuming that markup will pay off. Google recommends choosing stable pages with several months of Search Console data. Add valid structured data, confirm that Google found it, then compare URL-filtered performance for a few months.
- Choose a few pages that do not use structured data, have enough Search Console data, and are not seasonal or likely to change soon.
- Add the markup, validate it, and use URL Inspection to confirm that Google found it.
- Record the same pages in the Search Console Performance report for a few months, then compare each URL with its earlier performance.
Fix critical Rich Results Test errors before the comparison. Google also says the page must be accessible to Google and not blocked by robots.txt, noindex, or login requirements. That test gives a local business an evidence-based rollout decision for FAQPage, LocalBusiness, or another applicable type.
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Sources
- Schema.org, “FAQPage,” read 2026-09-28
- Google Search Central, “Latest Google Search Documentation Updates,” read 2026-09-28
- Google Search Central, “Intro to How Structured Data Markup Works,” read 2026-09-28
- Google Search Central, “General Structured Data Guidelines,” read 2026-09-28
- Google Search Central, “Local Business (LocalBusiness) Structured Data,” read 2026-09-28
Common questions
- Can I leave FAQPage markup on a page that already has it?
- Yes, when the page visibly contains the same questions and answers and the markup remains accurate. Google no longer shows the FAQ rich result, so the markup should not be maintained as a rich-result tactic alone. Keep the visible FAQ useful, remove stale questions, and keep the structured data synchronized with what the page shows.
- What must be visible when a page uses FAQPage markup?
- The questions and answers described by `FAQPage` must appear on the page that carries the markup. Google says structured data describes the content of that page and must not describe information hidden from customers. Do not create an empty markup-only page, and do not put accurate but invisible answers into the structured data.
- What is required for LocalBusiness structured data?
- Google lists the business `name` and physical `address` as required properties for LocalBusiness rich-result eligibility. The address should use `PostalAddress` details that describe the actual location. Add other properties only when they apply to the business and the page visibly supports them.
- How do I validate LocalBusiness structured data?
- Follow Google’s LocalBusiness guidelines, run the page through the Rich Results Test, and fix critical errors. After deployment, use URL Inspection to see how Google reads the page. Google also says the page must be crawlable, with no `robots.txt`, `noindex`, or login block preventing access.
- Does valid structured data guarantee a Google Search appearance?
- No. Google says structured data enables a feature but does not guarantee that the feature will appear. Google may choose another Search feature or a text result based on the search context, including location and device type. A valid test result is a technical check, not a display or ranking promise.
More on this subject in the answers library, and on the Maps Agent blog.