For years, a law firm could add a few questions and answers to a page and sometimes see them appear as dropdowns under its listing in Google. That feature is gone. Google says the FAQ rich result stopped showing in Search starting May 7, 2026.
If your website has FAQ sections, you may be wondering whether they still matter. The short answer is that the content can still help the people reading your site. This guide explains what changed, what to do with existing markup, and how to keep your Q&A content useful.
Key Takeaways
- Google no longer shows FAQ dropdowns in search results.
- Valid FAQPage markup that matches your page can stay in place.
- Google says no special markup is needed for its AI search features.
- Write FAQ answers for the questions your intake team hears every week.
What Google changed
Google keeps a public log of changes to its Search documentation. On May 8, 2026, it added a deprecation notice for the FAQ rich result and said the feature would no longer appear in Google Search starting May 7. In June, Google removed the documentation for the feature. You can read both entries in Google’s Search Central documentation updates.
A rich result is a search listing with extra details pulled from a page’s structured data. The FAQ version showed questions under a listing that a searcher could expand. Some firms used it to take up more space on the results page. That extra space is no longer available.
The change affects how your listing looks in Google. The questions and answers on your own website are still there for visitors to read.
What to do with FAQ schema you already have
Many law firm sites have FAQPage markup, often added by an SEO plugin or a web developer. The notices we reviewed did not ask site owners to remove it. Google’s structured data guidelines do say that markup should describe content visible on the page.
That gives you a simple rule. If the markup is valid and matches the questions on the page, you can leave it. If a page lost its FAQ section during a redesign but the markup is still there, have it cleaned up. Do the same if the code is broken or lists old answers.
Skip the scramble
You do not need to rush to strip markup out of every page. Spend that time checking that each FAQ answer is still accurate for your firm.
What Google says about AI search and markup
Some vendors now sell special schema as the key to showing up in AI answers. Google’s guide to its generative AI features says structured data is not required for these features and there is no special schema.org markup to add. The same guide still suggests using structured data as part of your broader SEO work, because it helps with eligibility for other rich results.
Google also says its AI features in Search are rooted in its core ranking and quality systems. Its advice centers on helpful content written for people, organized with clear headings and sections. For a small firm, that points back to the basics of a good website.
We wrote more about how search has shifted for firms in AI Search Changed How Clients Find Law Firms.
How to write FAQ content that still helps
Good FAQ content starts with real questions. Ask the person who answers your phone what callers ask before they book. Two common examples are what to bring to a first meeting and how fees work. Use the words callers use.
Answer the question in the first sentence. Then add the detail a reader needs to take the next step. Keep answers specific to your firm and your state. Avoid promising a result or giving advice that depends on facts you do not have.
Put each FAQ on the page where the question comes up. A question about estate planning fees belongs on your estate planning page. A long, catch-all FAQ page can still exist, but the most useful answers should sit near the related service.
A task for this week
Pick your most visited practice area page. Ask your intake lead for two questions callers ask about that service. Have an attorney approve short answers, then add them to that page.
Keep your answers accurate over time
An outdated answer can cost you trust with a potential client. If your fee policy changes or you stop handling a type of case, your website should change too. Give one person the job of checking FAQ content on a set schedule.
When you update an answer, update the matching markup if your site uses it. Many plugins handle this for you when the FAQ is built in a block. Hand-coded markup needs a manual edit, so ask your web team how your site works.
A clear answer can also make a first call easier. When a visitor already knows what to expect, the conversation can move straight to how your firm can help. Our guide on turning website visits into first consultations covers more ways to support that step.
Kevin Brown Design
Want a second look at your website’s FAQ content?
We can review your practice area pages and the markup behind them, then suggest questions worth answering. Schedule a consultation to talk through what potential clients see on your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Google stop showing FAQ results in search?
Yes. Google's documentation updates say the FAQ rich result stopped appearing in Google Search starting May 7, 2026. In June, Google removed the documentation for that feature. Your FAQ section still shows on your own page for anyone who visits it.
Should my law firm remove FAQPage schema from its website?
Google's notices we reviewed did not tell site owners to remove existing FAQPage markup. If your markup is valid and matches the questions on the page, it can stay while you focus on the content. Ask your web team to fix any markup that is broken or that describes questions no longer on the page.
Do I need special schema to show up in Google's AI answers?
Google's guide for its AI search features says structured data is not required and there is no special schema.org markup you need to add. The same guide says these features are rooted in Google's core Search ranking systems. Clear, useful pages remain the place to start.
Are FAQ sections still worth writing on a law firm website?
They can be, when they answer questions your intake team really hears. A good answer helps a potential client understand the next step before they call. Keep each answer short, accurate, and reviewed by an attorney.
How often should we review our website FAQs?
Set a schedule your team can keep, such as a quick check each quarter. Review sooner when a law, fee policy, or office process changes. Remove any answer that no longer matches how your firm works.
Last reviewed October 30, 2026 by Kevin Brown.