How To Add FAQ Schema To WordPress With Choice Of Several Free/Paid Plugins

Faq schema wordpress

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.

Faq google snippets

Here’s how to get them:

 

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.

Structured content json-ld wpsc – wordpress 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.

Multi faq

Step 4: Add your questions and answers (I recommend 3-8).

Structured content plugin

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:

Faq rich snippets content guidelines

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.

Clear 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:

Google rich results test

 

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).

Faq request indexing

Google url inspection confirmation

 

7. Check Results In 2-3 Minutes

Your FAQ rich snippets will display in Google almost immediately:

Faq rich snippets

 

8. Find FAQ Errors In Search Console

Google added a new FAQ section to Google Search Console:

Google search console faq tab

This shows how many pages have valid FAQ markup, and which pages have errors:

Google search console faq structured data

 

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.

Faq keywords

 

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

Schema Plugins To Avoid

 

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!

 

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.

Faq page rich snippet generator tool

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

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33 Comments...

  1. Hey Tom,

    Excellent stuff as usual.

    I’ve just finished my second post using your guides (On-page SEO checklist and this FAQ guide). If I search for the, admittedly pretty specific, keyswords “dogs and fireworks-induced stress” my post comes up on page 1 of Google and has the FAQs that I added using your guide :-)

    Thank you,
    Richie

    Reply
    • I see as the #2 result Richie, well done! And yes, the FAQs are there, and good keyword too. SEO title is cut off a bit so you may want to shorten it. Glad to see you’re using that TOC! Content looks great too :)

      Reply
      • Thanks Tom :)
        (though much of that credit belongs to you and your articles!)

        Yes, I’d spotted the SEO title cut-off and shortened it. However, for some reason, despite cache-clearing, the too-long version keeps appearing in Google search. Is there something else I need to do in order to update it?

        Reply
        • Looks like it updated to me, just need to give Google a little time to recrawl the page. You can also trying submitting it to the URL Inspection tool in Search Console which might speed it up.

          Reply
  2. Hi,

    you can use SEOPress to handle manual and automatic schemas in JSON-LD for your WordPress site.

    Disclaimer: I’m the founder.

    Reply
    • You can try just coding it yourself, with help from an FAQ code generator, but plugin is easier. Matt Woodward has an FAQ code generator.

      Reply
  3. Fantastic Article! Thank you!
    There is only one question, is it important WHERE I insert this FAQ Code? (below step 5).
    Has it to be on the very top, or is at the ending also fine?

    Reply
    • Just tested this with Divi, works great. But you have to create a new post and open the regular WP Visual Editor (not the Divi builder), click on the icon to generate the Multi-FAQ item, and then copy / paste the shortcode that gets generated into your Divi text module (Visual Editor). It then renders nicely and also is responsive. Although it leaves a bit of whitespace at the top of the first Question.

      Reply
  4. Hey Tom,

    Just another great article ! For the first time I got an email alert.

    1. Doesn’t YoastSEO cover both FAQ and Q&A rich snippets?

    If not what plugin do I need besides the Structured Content Plugin for Q&A rich snippets?

    2. Does it really take minutes to show up in SERP?
    Usually new blogs take 3-4 months from what I read.

    Cheers,
    Shippy

    Reply
    • Hey Shippy,

      Yes, Yoast covers both FAQs and How-Tos, but only with Gutenberg. I still use the classic editor and updated the article to reflect your question. Thank you.

      Yep, it only takes minutes to show up in SERPs. I have done it with a few articles now. Just clear the cache and submit the URL to Google’s URL Inspector. Matthew Moodward also has a video which demonstrates how it only takes minutes to show up in SERPs after updating a post.

      Reply
    • I use WP Review by MyThemeShop for reviews and Structured Content for FAQs. Very happy with both. Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper does the job too.

      Reply

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