Google appears to have disabled or is testing the removal of the &num=100 URL parameter, which previously allowed users to retrieve 100 search results in a single request. This change, first reported around September 10, has disrupted rank-tracking tools and caused notable shifts in Google Search Console metrics, though Google has not officially commented.
The &num=100 parameter has long enabled extensive search result retrieval. Recently, users observed that forcing 100 results often fails, with the parameter now seemingly limited to displaying results for only two pages instead of the full 100. This suggests a possible rollout or experiment. Keyword Insights noted that without this parameter, retrieving 100 results requires 10 separate requests, increasing costs and impacting ranking modules. From September 10 onward, many SEO professionals reported sharp declines in desktop impressions in Search Console. Clark linked these declines to the &num=100 change, theorizing that prior impression spikes were inflated by SEO tool bots loading pages with 100 results, compared to the usual 10-result pages.
SEO teams should review recent Search Console trends, especially if they noticed spikes in desktop impressions without matching clicks. Establishing a new baseline for reporting based on week-over-week changes since September 10 is advised. Teams should also consult their rank-tracking providers for updates on tool functionality.
Google has been contacted for clarification on whether this is a temporary test or a permanent change. Tool vendors are adapting, and the SEO community is reassessing the implications of the &num=100 change, particularly in relation to the "great decoupling" narrative concerning user behavior versus methodology. Further updates will follow if Google provides guidance or if Search Console reporting changes.
