Google is implementing breakouts in most rich result types in the search appearance filters
As per Google’s recent announcement the search console performance report will not have the generic rice results filter in the search appearance section from August 1, 2021 which means that there won’t be aggregated rich results after that. The reason being that most individual rich results like AMP rich results, event rich results, FAQ rich results, how to rich results, etc already have breakout filters and reports and Google don’t find the mass rich results useful anymore. This doesn’t mean that you are missing out any reports.
Google also said that the rich results filter will be removed in both the Google Search Console interface and API and further said that is done as there are individual rich results and there no use of grouping data for rich results. As said by Google “realize that grouping data for rich results is not ideal, as each type may have a significantly different behavior. Therefore we decided to sunset the Rich result search appearance.”
Will there be any changes in the ranking?
No. There won’t be any changes in the ranking mechanism. This is just internal modification which get rid of a specific filter option which doesn’t play any role in the site traffic and page ranking. Google said “the removal of the search appearance does not affect your traffic in any way; it is only a reporting change.”
What it means to you?
You will not see filter for rich results after August 1st in the Google Search Console but you will be able to get individual reports. The aggregated reports won’t be available for rich result genre. But you can see specific rich result types whenever it is applicable, like your website has the ability to derive the data for search appearance filter for individual results.
Any other changes other than the removal of generic rich results filter?
As of now there are no immediate changes but Google said that the search console will have more rich result types and reports in the future apart from the existing individual rich results filter and reports. Google further said, “we’ll keep investing in adding more rich result types to Search Console, and hope the reports will continue being a source of insights for you.”
What to expect after the removal of rich results filter option?
Your Google search console performance page will not have the accumulated rich result filter. This doesn’t affect the deriving of reports for specific rich results as you will be able to filter individual type of rich results and get reports on that.
