In a bid to offer a more streamlined and consistent search experience, Google has announced significant changes to its search results, specifically pertaining to FAQ and How-To structured data. This move is bound to have implications for website owners and SEO professionals. Let’s delve into the specifics of these changes and what they mean for the future of search engine optimization.
The Changes in a Nutshell
- FAQ Rich Results: Previously, websites could use the FAQPage structured data to display frequently asked questions directly in search results. Now, this feature will be limited to authoritative government and health websites. All other websites will see a reduction in the visibility of these rich results.
- How-To Rich Results: These results, which provide step-by-step instructions, will now only be displayed for desktop users. Mobile users will no longer see How-To rich results.
Implications for Website Owners
- Relevance of Structured Data: Even though Google is reducing the visibility of certain rich results, it doesn’t mean that structured data has lost its importance. Google has clarified that there’s no need to remove existing structured data from your site. While it won’t have any visible effect in Google Search for many sites, it doesn’t harm your site’s performance either.
- Mobile Optimization: With Google’s emphasis on mobile indexing, it’s crucial that the mobile version of your website includes the appropriate markup, especially if you want How-To rich results to appear for desktop users.
Changes in Search Console Reporting
Website owners and SEO professionals should be prepared for changes in the Search Console reports. Specifically:
- Performance Report: The metrics for FAQ and How-To search appearances will be affected.
- Enhancement Reports: The number of impressions for FAQ and How-To will change, but the number of items reported will remain the same.
Global Rollout
This update is not limited to a specific region or language. It’s rolling out worldwide over the next week. However, it’s essential to note that this isn’t a ranking change. So, if you’re monitoring your site’s position in search results, this update shouldn’t cause any shifts.
Google’s latest changes underscore the company’s commitment to providing a clean and consistent search experience. While these updates might seem like a setback for some website owners, it’s essential to remember that SEO is an ever-evolving field. Staying informed and adaptable is the key to navigating these changes and ensuring that your website remains optimized for search.