Google’s &num= Removal: SEO Impact & Moz Pro Changes
Google recently eliminated the long-standing `&num=` URL parameter, which previously allowed users and SEO tools to specify the number of search results displayed per page. This removal signifies a major shift, as SERP (Search Engine Results Page) lengths are now dynamic and controlled entirely by Google, leading to pages that may display varying numbers of organic results.
Historically, the `&num=100` parameter was crucial for SEO platforms as it provided a consistent and efficient way to scrape a fixed number of results, simplifying data collection and managing operational costs. Its removal introduces significant risks for the SEO industry, primarily by increasing SERP scraping costs. Tools now need to make more requests to gather the same amount of data (e.g., the top 100 results) because they can no longer force Google to deliver them all on a single page. This also introduces inconsistencies in data collection and challenges for historical data comparisons.
Moz Pro, for instance, previously relied on the `&num=100` parameter to gather its comprehensive SERP data. Following Google’s change, Moz Pro has adapted its scraping methodology to consistently capture the first 100 organic results, regardless of how many physical pages this now spans. This adaptation directly translates to higher operational costs for Moz due to the increased number of requests required to compile the same dataset.
For Moz Pro users, this means that while the core data for the top 100 results remains accurate, the interpretation of “page 1” or “page 2” might change, as a single SERP page could now contain more or fewer than 10 results. Furthermore, historical data concerning SERP features (like featured snippets or local packs) might show fluctuations, as the context of their position relative to a fixed “page” has evolved. Moz assures users that despite these internal challenges, the quality and accuracy of the top 100 organic result data remain paramount.
(Source: https://moz.com/blog/num-100-and-changing-serp-lengths-in-moz-pro)
