FAQ rich snippets are the hottest SEO trend in 2020 – so how you do you add them?
The easiest way to add FAQ rich snippets to WordPress is using the Structured Content plugin which is the same one used by Neil Patel. Install the plugin, edit a page or post, and add FAQs using the plugin. To speed up indexing, resubmit the URL in Search Console when you’re done.
Google has cracked down on FAQs; make sure they answer what people want to know, are relevant, and aren’t biased (absolutely no affiliate links). Google has other guidelines for adding FAQ rich snippets like making sure all FAQ content is visible to users, avoiding advertising, and not allowing users to submit alternative answers. It’s worth going through their documentation.
What Are FAQ Rich Snippets?
FAQ rich snippets require an FAQ section on your page/post containing a list of questions and answers. When marked up properly, these can appear as a rich result in search results and in Google Assistant. This, in turn, can make you stand out while increasing click-through rates.
Here’s how to get them:
Add FAQ Rich Snippets To WordPress
- Install The Structured Content Plugin
- Add FAQs To Pages
- Follow Google’s FAQ Guidelines
- Clear Cache
- Test Page In Google’s Rich Results Test
- Request Indexing Via Google URL Inspection
- Check Results In 2-3 Minutes
- Find FAQ Errors In Search Console
- Gather FAQs Via Answer The Public
- Other Schema Plugins
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Install The Structured Content Plugin
I know this plugin has only a few reviews, but hear me out.
In Neil Patel’s Master Call YouTube video, he shows you how to add FAQ rich snippets.
The problem is, he doesn’t tell you which plugin he’s using. Luckily, my buddy Cole from Revealize filled me in. It’s the Structured Content plugin which has very little reviews, but works like a dream. I use it on my own WordPress website and it literally couldn’t be easier. Check the frequently asked questions section of this article to see an example of this plugin.
2. Add FAQs To Pages
Step 1: Install the Structured Content Plugin.
Step 2: Edit a page or post.
Step 3. Click the FAQ dropdown in the WYSIWYG editor.
Step 4: Add your questions and answers (I recommend 3-8).
Step 5: Click the OK button, and the plugin will do the rest.
What the code looks like:
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Your question 1″ answer-0=”Your answer 1″ image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Your question 2″ answer-1=”Your answer 2″ image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”Your question 3″ answer-2=”Your answer 3″ image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”false” css_class=”your-class”]
3. Follow Google’s FAQ Guidelines
Google has FAQ guidelines which you should definitely read:
Summary:
- Don’t be spammy or include advertisements
- All FAQ content should be visible to your users
- FAQs should be written by the site itself, not users
- If users can submit reviews, use Q&A markup instead
- Questions should include the entire text of the question, and answers should include the entire text of the answer (hint: try to include bits of the question in your answer)
4. Clear Cache
Once you’ve added your FAQ section, update the post and clear the page’s cache.
5. Test Page In Google’s Rich Results Test
Run the page through Google’s Rich Results Test to make sure the markup is valid:
6. Request Indexing Via Google URL Inspection
In Search Console, go to the URL Inspection Tool and click request indexing. Google will crawl the page and update their search results almost immediately (usually takes a couple minutes).
7. Check Results In 2-3 Minutes
Your FAQ rich snippets will display in Google almost immediately:
8. Find FAQ Errors In Search Console
Google added a new FAQ section to Google Search Console:
This shows how many pages have valid FAQ markup, and which pages have errors:
9. Gather FAQs Via Answer The Public
Need ideas for your FAQs?
Answer The Public shows common questions people are searching about a specific topic (pulled from Google Autocomplete). This is not only my favorite tool for looking for FAQ ideas, but keyword research and featured snippet opportunities as well. The greener the circle, the more searches that question has. You can create FAQs based on the question’s popularity.
10. Other Schema Plugins
Which Schema Plugin Should I Choose?
It depends on which schema types you want. For review stars, I use WP Review Pro by MyThemeShop. For FAQs, I use Structured Content since Yoast’s FAQ and Q&A blocks only work with Gutenberg. For recipes, I would probably use WP Recipe Maker. And for AMP (accelerated mobile pages), I wouldn’t use anything at all since AMP can hurt your conversions.
Schema Plugins
- Structured Content (FAQs)
- Schema Plugin (they also have a premium version)
- Schema JSON-LD Markup
- Markup (JSON-LD) structured in schema.org
- WP Review Pro (review stars)
- WP Recipe Maker or Recipe Cards (recipes)
- Yoast also has FAQ + How-To schema
- Schema Pro (paid)
- SNIP from CodeCanyon (paid)
- Schema & Structured Data for WP & AMP
Schema Plugins To Avoid
- WP Rich Snippets (abandoned by developer)
- All In One Schema (way too little customization options)
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Here is how the Structured Content plugin looks on a page (you can also customize the CSS):
Which plugin is best for adding FAQs?
The Structured Content plugin is the easiest way add FAQ rich snippets to pages/posts (this is the same plugin used by Neil Patel).
How do you add those green emojis to FAQs?
You can add any emoji to FAQs. Just copy the emoji you want to use and add it before the question. I use checkmarks with a green background, but you can choose from thousands!
Will FAQs automatically show in Google?
They should. Google ultimatley decides whether they will show FAQs in search results even if you mark them up properly. However, with the right plugin, you should be able to add FAQ rich snippets nearly 100% of the time, especially if it's a topic that calls for FAQs.
Can you really get FAQs appearing in Google in 5 minutes?
Yes, you can. After your markup the page, clear the cache and submit the URL to Google's URL Inspection tool. After just a few minutes, you should see it in Google's search results.
Can users submit answers to questions?
No, FAQ rich snippets should be written by the site itself, with no way for users to submit alternative answers. If users can submit answers, use Q&A rich snippets.
How long will FAQs be around for?
No one knows. Google has a history of discontinuing features. But it's kind of like Google Authorship... while it's around, you might as well take advantage of it. And if you don't, your competitors eventually will.
Do FAQs increase my click-through rates?
It did for me, but it totally depends on the quality of writing, topics you're covering, and whether you're enticing people to click your result. It definitely increases impressions!
In some cases it’s worth it. If it helps users and prevents them from contacting the helpdesk there could be a use case for it. https://t.co/DESJjilv5D
— Arnout Hellemans (@hellemans) June 13, 2019
Alternative: Add FAQ Rich Snippets Using A Code Generator
I have tried multiple FAQ rich snippet generators, including Matthew Woodward’s, but none of them worked. Every time I copied/pasted the code, nothing showed up on my post. That’s why I recommend using the Structured Content plugin. It’s lightweight and it does a beautiful job.
Do You Think FAQs Will Last?
Who knows? Google is always discontinuing things. But while it’s here, I’m going to take full advantage of it. Not many people have implemented FAQ rich snippets and it will set you apart from the competition. Even if gets discontinued, FAQs are still valuable to have on the page.
Get on it.
Cheers,
Tom
rankmath is good for FAQ and other schema?
I didn’t like the styling of their FAQ schema so I still used the Structured Content plugin for FAQ schema, then Rank Math for all other schema. But yes, I think it’s one of the best SEO plugins for schema in general.
Does Schema Plugin decrease blog speed?
No, it is very lightweight. But you can always selectively disable it using Asset CleanUp or Perfmatters. For example, I used Perfmatters and their Regex function to only load the schema plugin on my “review” posts where I use it.
it crashed my website! the Structured content plugin
Crashed your website? Never heard of it doing that :-/ sorry to hear.
Thanks.
I have used the plugin you recommended on one of my blogs, I have also coded it myself using help from code generators but none of the method is showing the FAQ Schema on Google SERP even though Google has re-indexed my page (I know that because I also changed my meta description and the change in meta description has effected)
In fact, both methods are showing valid FAQ result when I am about to index on Google Search console.
Why is this happening?
Sorry for the late reply Soneye.
I’m not sure without taking a better look. So you installed the plugin, added FAQs to your content using the plugin, are submitted it to Google’s URL Inspector in Search Console? In Search Console, what are you seeing under the FAQs section – does it show the content your marked up or no?
Hey Tom,
Thanks for this detailed guide. I was able to add a FAQ to my post in less than 5 minutes and I got it verified on the Google tool as well.
That’s awesome Trishan, glad it worked for you.
This was the thing i was looking for and yeah! i get to know about this thing after watching neils video.
It’s a good tip!