Quality · Speed · Schema
Website Schema, FAQs and Reviews: Why They Matter
Structured data helps Google and AI understand your page — but it isn't a magic ranking switch, and FAQ rich results were removed from Google Search on 7 May 2026. Schema still matters, just for the right reasons.
Let's set expectations honestly, because a lot of agencies oversell this.
What schema does — and doesn't
Google has confirmed structured data is not a direct ranking factor. Its value is helping Google understand your content, resolve your business as an entity, and index efficiently. The key types for an SME are Organization, LocalBusiness, WebSite, Service, FAQPage and Review.
the date Google stopped showing FAQ rich results in Search. FAQ markup is still useful — for clarity and structure, not for stars.
Google Search Central.
Schema must mirror what's visible
This is the part that matters for AI: ChatGPT and Perplexity read structured data as plain text on the page, and Copilot inherits its understanding from Bing. So schema can't describe things that aren't visible — it has to reinforce real, on-page content.
Reviews, honestly
Review markup can help, but Google limits self-serving reviews on your own local business pages — you can't mark up reviews of yourself and expect stars. Earn genuine reviews on your Google profile instead; they build trust with customers and feed AI answers.
Frequently asked
Will schema make me rank higher?
Not directly — Google says it's not a ranking factor. It helps understanding, entity resolution and indexing, which support visibility indirectly.
Are FAQ rich results gone?
Yes, from 7 May 2026 in Google Search. We still use FAQ markup for clarity and AI-readability, but we won't promise you stars or rich snippets.
Can I add review stars to my own pages?
Google restricts self-serving review markup. The better route is genuine reviews on your Google Business Profile.
Structured data helps Google and AI understand your page — but it isn't a magic ranking switch, and FAQ rich results were removed from Google Search on 7 May 2026. Schema still matters, just for the right reasons.