Ever wondered if FAQs still matter for SEO? You’re not alone! FAQs might seem like old news in the ever-changing world of SEO, but they’re still a fantastic way to make your site user-friendly and help you rank better on Google. So, let’s dive in. Are FAQs still helpful for SEO?
Yes, FAQs are still helpful for SEO. Q&A-style content is a great way to make your pages skimmable, whilst answering user queries quickly, contributing to a better user experience on your site overall. If Google sees that your website is adding value to its users, the higher chance you have of ranking well on search engines. FAQs can also help you target relevant keywords and facilitate better internal linking, contributing to overall better search engine rankings.
Read on to find out how long FAQs should be for SEO, where to find FAQ ideas, and the latest word on FAQ Schema from Google themselves!
Are FAQs Good For SEO?
Yes, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) can be highly beneficial for SEO. Here are several reasons why:
- Short-form content is on the rise: Google prioritises informative and relevant content when choosing what to rank, however that content might look. Contrary to popular belief, the search engine no longer ranks the pages with the most words at the top!
- Improved user experience & satisfying user intent: If you have clear headings, and to-the-point answers under each heading, users will quickly be able to skim the page and find the answer that they are looking for. Satisfying user intent is a critical factor in search engine algorithms.
- Featured Snippets: Well-structured FAQs using schema markup have more chance of appearing as a featured snippet because Google will clearly be able to understand your content. This can increase your visibility on Google, and lead to more click-throughs to your site.
Provided your content also contains keywords, and internal/external links, and your site has a good number of backlinks, FAQ-style content should rank well for SEO.
Does Google Still Use FAQ Schema?
A few years ago, adding structured data, specifically FAQ schema, to your question-and-answer content was a great way to earn additional visibility on the search results page via ‘rich’ results. The FAQs would appear just below your listing on the results page, helping your brand to take up more SERPs ‘real estate’ and push competitors further down the page.
However, as of August 2023, Google has now removed FAQ rich results for everyday sites, and will now only show them for very well-known, authoritative, and government websites.
That being said, adding FAQ schema (or any kind of schema, for that matter), is still a great way to help Google understand the content that is on your page. If Google better understands the on-page content, you will likely have a better chance of appearing in ‘People Also Ask’ and on featured snippets.
Learn about ways you can enhance your site to gain rich results in this helpful blog: How Do You Appear in Rich Results?
So, Should You Add FAQs To Your Website?
Yes – absolutely! FAQs are a quick and efficient way to answer a user query, as well as an opportunity to place target keywords and link to other relevant bits of content on your site. Google continues to place more importance on user experience these days, and especially with most Google searches now being conducted on mobile devices, so a 4000-word page isn’t always the answer.
If you are going to spend time writing FAQs for pages on your site, you should still spend time implementing FAQ schema, even after the depletion of FAQ rich results. The structured data markup helps Google read and understand your content, increasing your chances of ranking well.
How Do You Find FAQ Ideas?
FAQ ideas are easier to find than you might think. Here’s how we find out which question-and-answers would be best for SEO (and user experience!):
- Semrush
Start by typing in your target keyword for your product page, service page, or blog into Semrush. Scroll down to where it says ‘questions’. Choose a couple of relevant ones with high search volume to add to your content.
- ‘People Also Ask’
If Semrush isn’t feeding back with any queries relating to your keyword, you can also look at the ‘People Also Ask’ section on Google. Simply type your target keyword into the search engine, and scroll down to where Google shows additional queries. Choose a few relevant ones to add to your page.
- Your Customers
Still nothing? Use data from your real-life customers! After all, they’re likely very similar to your target audience, so utilising real questions that customers have asked can be a great way to think of additional FAQs to add to your website’s pages.
You don’t have to ask your customers directly, instead, send a quick message to your marketing, customer service, or sales teams, to learn about the common queries or pain points that they come across regularly. Your new content could even become a resource for these teams further down the line, as they’ll be able to point customers and prospects to these pages to find the answer they’re looking for.
How Long Should an FAQ Be For SEO?
There isn’t a set answer for how long an FAQ answer should be. Simply put, the answer should be as long as it needs to be to answer the question clearly and concisely without waffling.
However, to keep your FAQs skimmable, try not to exceed 2-3 sentences per answer. If you have gone over a few sentences, try directing the user to a page that offers a more in-depth answer, such as a blog page.
Stay Up To Date With the Latest SEO News With Wildcat Digital
So, should you add FAQs to your website? Absolutely! FAQs provide quick answers to user queries, offer opportunities to place target keywords, and link to other relevant content on your site.
Stay updated with the latest SEO strategies and enhance your website’s performance with Wildcat Digital. For more insights, check out our blog page. Need help with your website strategy? Get in touch today to arrange a free consultation and see how we can help you punch above your weight online.
Jasmine Savery
SEO Account Manager
