Google’s Removal of the num=100 Parameter: What You Need to Know

If you spend your days in SEO land, you might have noticed Google quietly pulling a little magic trick. 

The num=100 parameter.

You know, the one that lets you see 100 search results on a single page has officially vanished.

For years, SEOs, rank trackers, and data nerds everywhere used num=100 to grab big batches of results in one go. It was a beautiful time-saver. 

Now? We’re back to scrolling, page by page, like it’s 2008 all over again.

Losing this setting might sound like a tiny tweak, but it actually changes how we check keyword rankings, audit competitors, and report results to clients.

This blog is here to save you from SEO panic mode. 
We’ll explain what num=100 really did behind the scenes, why Google probably decided to ax it, and how you can adjust your workflow without losing your mind (or your rankings).

What num=100 Was and Why It Mattered

So what exactly was num=100? 

In simple terms, it was a little trick you could add to the end of a Google search URL to make Google show you 100 search results on one page.

If you searched “best coffee shops in Sydney” and added &num=100 to the URL, you would get one big scrollable list of results instead of clicking “next” every ten links. 

For SEOs, this felt like a secret cheat code. It was quick, easy, and perfect for getting the full picture at a glance.

This feature had been around for years, quietly helping marketers, analysts, and anyone who hated clicking “Next” seventeen times just to reach the bottom of page ten.

Typical Uses (and Why Teams Liked It)

So why did SEO teams love num=100 so much? Because it saved time and gave better data in one shot. Here is why it became such a go-to setting:

• Rank Tracking: Checking positions for the first 100 results at once made it easier to see where a page stood without constant page flipping.
• Competitor Audits: Teams could quickly spot which domains were dominating SERPs for specific keywords.
• Keyword Research: Having the top 100 results laid out made it easier to understand what kind of content Google preferred.
• Data Collection: Grabbing everything in a single query meant faster exports and smoother imports into SEO tools.

Beyond these typical tasks, num=100 delivered some practical advantages: it cut down the number of queries made to Google (saving bandwidth), reduced server load, and made reporting faster and more cost-effective. 

Most importantly, it provided a deeper, more complete look at the search landscape, helping teams make better-informed decisions.

In short, num=100 was a workflow booster that combined speed, efficiency, and data depth in a way that many SEOs came to rely on.

Its removal means teams will need to rethink how they gather and analyse SERP data moving forward.

Impact of the Change and How Teams Should Adapt

So, what happens now that num=100 has gone missing? 

First off, don’t panic. 

Your rankings probably didn’t tank overnight

Things may look weird for a while. 

Without the ability to grab 100 results at once, some SEO tools are working harder behind the scenes, which makes reports look noisier than usual.

Here is what you might notice:

• Data Noise: Rankings might look like they are bouncing around, especially for keywords outside the top 10.
• Tool Glitches: Some rank trackers might take a hot minute to adjust and start pulling full results again.
• Extra Costs: If your platform now has to pull data in multiple smaller batches, you might burn through API credits faster than before.

Think of it as your tools for learning a new dance routine. A little clunky at first, but they will get smoother soon.

Can I still force Google to show 100 results on one page using another trick?

Nope, sorry. The num=100 setting was a server-side feature, and now that Google has removed it, there is no secret workaround to get all 100 results at once. 

You can still manually click through pages or use APIs and rank tracking tools that fetch results in bulk behind the scenes.

Practical, Prioritised Steps to Adapt

So, is there good news?

Of course, yes, because this is not a catastrophe. 

Here is how you can keep your reporting sharp and your sanity intact:

1. Audit Your Tools: Check if your SEO tools have rolled out updates to work without num=100. Most good ones have.
2. Talk to Your Team: Give your clients or stakeholders a heads-up so they do not freak out when they see minor ranking wobbles.
3. Zoom Out: Focus on overall trends instead of stressing about day-to-day ranking shifts.
4. Use APIs Where Needed: If you need bulk data, explore Google’s Custom Search API or third-party solutions designed for this.
5. Watch Your Costs: Keep an eye on API usage or tracking credit consumption and adjust frequency if needed.
6. Aim for Page One: With limited visibility past the first page, this is your cue to sharpen up and push those rankings higher.

The removal of num=100 is not the end of the world. It just means SEOs need to tweak their workflows and rely on smarter tools. Treat this as an excuse to upgrade your process and focus on metrics that really matter.

Also, most of the major players like SEMrush, Ahrefs, Sistrix, and AccuRanker are already rolling out fixes to account for this change. Check the product updates or support docs for the tools you use. 

If your favourite tool seems a little off right now, it probably just needs a few updates before things smooth out again.