Google Search Drops ‘Results Per Page’ Feature
▼ Summary
– Google recently disabled the ability to view 100 search results per page via a URL parameter, which has disrupted rank-checking tools and Search Console data.
– The company stated that this URL parameter was never officially supported, despite having worked unofficially for many years until last week.
– Google did not clarify whether the change was intentional or a bug, nor did it provide reasons for the removal.
– Speculation suggests the change may aim to prevent unauthorized scraping or affect entities like OpenAI, but Google has not confirmed these motives.
– The removal impacts third-party tools and may lead to more accurate Search Console data by reducing bot-generated impressions.
Last week, Google quietly removed the ability to display 100 search results per page through a specific URL parameter, a move that has disrupted numerous rank-tracking tools and led to a noticeable drop in data within Google’s own Search Console. The company has since confirmed that this parameter was never officially supported, despite having functioned for years.
A Google spokesperson stated that the use of this URL parameter is not something the company formally endorses. While the feature had been available unofficially for a long time, Google eliminated the user-facing option to select results per page back in 2018. The URL workaround, however, continued to work until it was abruptly disabled late last Thursday.
When questioned about whether the removal was intentional or a technical glitch, similar to an incident in 2013, Google offered no further clarification beyond its initial statement. The company also did not provide a reason for the change, leaving many to speculate about its motives.
Some industry observers wonder if Google is attempting to curb unauthorized scraping of its search results, which has long been prohibited under its terms of service. Others have raised questions about whether the move is aimed at limiting how third parties, including AI firms like OpenAI, access and use Google’s data.
The timing of the change coincides with widespread reports from webmasters who have seen a sharp decline in impression data within Search Console. This has led to speculation that a portion of the previously reported traffic may have been artificially inflated by bot activity, and that the new restrictions could lead to more accurate reporting of genuine human visits.
For those who relied on the num=100 parameter, whether for manual checks or through third-party tools, this marks the end of an era. Rank-tracking services are already adjusting their methods and notifying users of the update. While the initial disruption has been significant, the silver lining may be that Search Console data could become more reflective of actual user behavior moving forward.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
