Google Search documentation updates for October 2026 cover URL structure, site owner controls and the Indexing API, according to the Google for Developers update log. Several entries clarify existing guidance, but a few touch settings publishers use every day.
The URL structure best practices now clarify word separation, comparing hyphens with underscores. The control what you share page lists options that already existed, including the robots meta tag, data-nosnippet, X-Robots-Tag and the Search generative AI control. The Indexing API quota page now shows current limits and process, and an outdated form was removed. Google also added a page on the UGC Fresh Data Program that explains eligibility and how to take part. The generative AI content guide gained information drawn from the Search Quality Raters guidelines.
What changed for AMP and FAQ pages?
The biggest shift for AMP publishers came on July 1. Google Search now sends users directly to the publisher's AMP host pages, so creators no longer need to maintain the AMP cache or configure signed exchanges. The log says AMP content will keep ranking like any other web page. FAQ rich results are a different story. Google deprecated the feature in May, said it would stop appearing in Search from May 7, 2026, and has since removed the documentation for it.
Two other entries affect how content appears. In August, Google documented a custom, interactive button that site owners can add to guide readers to set their site as a preferred source. In May, the preferred sources feature began rolling out to AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Generative AI is a recurring theme. In May, Google published a new guide on optimizing for generative AI features on Search. The same month, it clarified that its spam policies also apply to generative AI responses. The guide also addresses common AEO and GEO misconceptions.
What this means for publishers
If you run AMP pages, you no longer need to keep AMP cache or signed exchange settings in your publishing routine. Do not count on FAQ rich results for visibility, because the feature no longer appears in Search. Compare your robots meta, data-nosnippet and X-Robots-Tag settings with the control what you share page, since each option is now listed together. Agencies and niche site owners should also add the documentation feed to a feed reader so the next change reaches them directly.
Quick answers
Do AMP pages still rank differently in Google Search?
Google says AMP content will continue to rank just like any other web page. Since July 1, Google Search has sent users directly to publisher AMP host pages.
Does FAQ rich result still appear in Google Search?
No. Google says the FAQ rich result feature is no longer shown in Google Search results, starting May 7, 2026.
Source: Google for Developers