Every website has one. A list of questions nobody reads until they have a problem. FAQ stands for "frequently asked questions." It is a page, a document, or a section. It answers common queries about a product, service, or event. The goal is to save time. Instead of answering the same email ten times, you write it once.

FAQs are not always frequent. Some companies stuff them with marketing copy. Some hide bad news in them. A good FAQ is honest, clear, and short. It answers the questions customers actually ask. It does not dodge. It does not use jargon.

What belongs in an FAQ

• How do I reset my password?
• What is your return policy?
• How long does shipping take?
• Is my data safe?
• How do I contact support?

The FAQ is a genre. It has conventions. Questions are usually bold. Answers are concise. Links are provided for more detail. A bad FAQ is a maze. A good one is a map. The best ones are updated regularly. The worst ones still mention a product that was discontinued five years ago.