Last updated on December 12, 2025
Using common questions (FAQs)
Common question (FAQ) page should be used rarely. Read the guidelines when and how to use FAQs.
Avoid Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) web page should be used very rarely.
What to include a page
- The page header should be Common questions.
- Include frequently asked questions in the summary sentence.
- Put the FAQs in an accessible PDF.
- Use a document gateway page.
Plainlanguage.gov guidelines
- If you write clear web content that is easy to navigate and answers your readers questions, you will not need to create a FAQ.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be overwhelming and leave your customers searching through a sea of content.
- Often your best solution is a clear, well-organized main content page explaining a process.
- Use real customer feedback. Do not assume what kinds of questions people will have. Monitor customer calls and emails to create helpful FAQs.Use language that non-experts will understand. Use plain language when drafting FAQs. Do not burden your reader with insider jargon or undefined acronyms.
Read the plainlanguage.gov article
City guidelines
- Rather than using a common questions web page, publish content on a web page as informational statements.
- If you are receiving questions repeatedly, make your existing web content more clear and add any missing information.
- Never use a common questions web page as the only source of the information. It should be presented on a web page first.