We all know that Google is constantly innovating our internet experiences to stay ahead of the curve. Still, a recent update has many asking, “what happened with FAQ rich results?” Google has launched a new update that limits the number of FAQs seen on search engine result pages (SERP). Previously, when someone would Googles a question, they would receive multiple results in each search snipper. Now, the results are limited to just two per page.
This change received both praise and criticism from marketers and consumers, with many saying they need more information while others are enjoying fewer distractions in their search queries. To better understand this change and how it can impact your SEO, let’s start by defining FAQs and explaining why they are essential.
What Are FAQs?
FAQs, or Frequently Asked Questions, generally refer to a subset of questions asked online. FAQs are written to address and answer common user inquiries quickly and efficiently. On Google, FAQs allow websites to provide direct answers to users. The problem with FAQs is that they don’t always offer a lot of context for these answers, which can be a significant issue if you’re looking for something specific rather than general information.
FAQs are perfect for situations when users have multiple questions to answer at one time and may not want to dig through pages of content and thousands of words to get these answers. It can also be used to provide quick solutions for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.
Recently, Google has begun limiting the number of FAQs they show on SERP pages to two, which means that when you search for something in Google, there will be a maximum of two FAQ-rich results. Google’s Dan Sullivan has confirmed that the reason for limiting FAQ-rich results to two per page has nothing to do with sabotaging structured data results.
Google is doing this for several reasons:
- They want to provide better context for their users so that the information is more valuable and not just a list of links with no irrelevant information.
- They also want to reduce the number of distractions they feel might be cluttering up search results pages to give users a better experience.
- Finally, they want to see if this will improve the user experience. Google is dedicated to providing its customers with a great user experience to ensure they can access the information they need without digging for it. The user experience feedback will be critical to influencing Google’s next move.
Why Is Google Making This Update for FAQs?
One reason that Google might be limiting FAQs to two per page is that they want the answers they provide on SERP pages to help users find the information they need. That means providing quality results, not just a list of links, because there are no other options available. When someone fails to find the information they seek in an unreliable and inaccurate FAQ section, it damages their trust in the platform. It reduces their chances of returning to Google for additional help in the future.
Another reason Google might limit FAQ-rich results is to cut down on distractions and clutter on search result pages. This allows individuals to see more websites on a single page, which means they have more results to choose from. They can then avoid endlessly navigating from one page to the next and still not finding the information they are seeking.
How Does This Google FAQ Change Impact Marketing Teams?
The Google FAQ change can drastically affect your page rankings, either negatively or positively. In some cases, your results may take up less space on the SERP, allowing competitors to outrank you and drive traffic to their sites rather than yours. In other cases, you may see your page rankings improve and gain a higher spot than your competitors.
One of the main ways this change will impact marketing teams is by limiting their ability to use FAQs for SEO purposes. That means that if you had previously used FAQs to help you rank better on Google, it could be more challenging to ensure that your organization is the one answering a prospect’s question.
If you’re looking to improve your rankings, you may have to reconsider how you’re going about doing it. Focusing on strategies like social media engagement, content creation, and adding links from other websites may be more beneficial for your rankings than sharing FAQs.
In addition to limiting their ability to use FAQs as an SEO tactic, this change could mean that marketing teams must rethink how they provide information on the web. They should consider creating better content, giving more comprehensive information, and using online resources like forums to seek answers to other people’s questions.
The best way to garner attention from search engines is by developing original, high-quality, and optimized content. With a bit of help from an experienced SEO agency, you can increase the chances that your answers rank as FAQ-rich snippets, giving them more visibility with Google’s algorithm and ultimately improving user engagement with your brand.
