How to Display 100 Search Results on Google: A Functional Guide with Insights

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How to Display 100 Search Results on Google: A Functional Guide with Insights

In the age of immediate information and rapid internet searches, having control over how many results one sees at once can be a game-changer for deeper research or professional tasks. Google, as a dominant search engine, offers unparalleled search capabilities, but its default settings often limit users to 10 results per page. While this works for casual searching, professionals, researchers, and tech enthusiasts frequently need to see a broader set of search results in one go. Let’s explore how to achieve this functionality and why it matters.

Chrome extension

The Problem with Default Settings

Google’s default search engine settings cap the visible search results at 10 per page. While this design makes navigation simpler for casual users and likely reduces bandwidth use, it can sometimes hinder those searching for niche or underrepresented information. For instance, consultants conducting competitive analysis, genealogists unpacking historical information, or engineers troubleshooting obscure problems often find the first 10 results cluttered with commercial or algorithmically “weighted” outputs.

The challenge is compounded by Google’s removal of easy adjustments to display larger result limits. Previously, users could configure Google’s settings to show up to 100 results per page. Today, however, this option has been deprecated, leaving professionals seeking solutions to navigate technical tweaks or workarounds.

The Workaround: How to Display 100 Results Per Page

If you’re among those who need to bypass Google’s default settings, there’s good news: You can customize Google’s search URL to display 100 results per page. Here’s how:

  1. Add “&num=100” to the URL:
    Start by typing your search query into the Google search bar as usual. Once the results appear, locate the URL in your browser. Append &num=100 to the URL string and hit Enter. This should reload the search with 100 results displayed on one page.

    Example:
    Original URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=example
    Modified URL: https://www.google.com/search?q=example&num=100

  2. Create a Bookmark for Automation:
    To streamline the process, you can turn this adjustment into an automated bookmark in your browser. Save the modified URL to your bookmarks bar and click it whenever you perform a search. For existing searches, you can also use a simple JavaScript-based bookmarklet:

    javascript:(function(){var searchParams=new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);searchParams.set('num','100');window.location.search=searchParams.toString();})();

    Save this piece of JavaScript in your bookmarks bar, and each time you click it after conducting a search, the page will reload with 100 results.

Why Google May Limit Results Per Page

Google’s prioritization of 10 results per page isn’t arbitrary. Potential reasons for this default include:

  1. User Experience: A smaller number of results per page creates a cleaner interface and faster load times for users with limited bandwidth or less powerful devices.
  2. Bandwidth Usage: Google, handling billions of searches daily, may reduce strain on its servers by distributing searches into smaller batches.
  3. Algorithmic Prioritization: Displaying fewer results allows Google to emphasize its algorithmically ranked, SEO-optimized pages at the top—often benefiting commercial interests.

However, these justifications can frustrate those who need access to a wider array of results, especially when the top rankings feel tailored or skewed toward paid advertisements.

The Value of Widely Displayed Results

While the average user might find everything they need in the first 10 results, search professionals frequently need to dig further for niche insights. Without the ability to see multiple results on a single page, finding these pieces of information can become a repetitive and time-consuming process.

Here are some notable use cases where seeing larger results pays off:

  • Family Historians: Genealogists often find valuable amateur or low-ranking resources buried beyond the first few pages.
  • Technical Problem Solvers: Engineers troubleshooting obscure hardware or software issues may hit gold with user-generated advice on niche forums far deeper in the search queue.
  • Market Researchers: Analysts seeking competitor insights often need to sift through hundreds of results to uncover less optimized or hidden gems of information.

The ability to access 100 results per page fosters efficiency and minimizes distractions from advertisements or repetitive links.

Challenges with URL Tweaks

Despite the usefulness of the &num=100 modification, users have noted certain limitations:

  1. Reverting Settings: Google may revert searches back to 10 results when users navigate to the next page or adjust other search parameters within the browser.
  2. Browser-Specific Issues: Some browsers, such as newer versions of Firefox, might limit customization options, making workflows reliant on URL adjustments more cumbersome.
  3. Potential for Depracation: Given that this is an unofficial workaround, there’s no guarantee Google will continue supporting such URL manipulations indefinitely.

Calls for More Transparency and Flexibility

The decision to limit settings like results per page highlights a broader trend in how tech giants prioritize features. In discussions among digital marketing professionals, some critics have suggested that restricting search options places undue emphasis on commercialized results, discouraging consumers from accessing fresher or non-SEO-spun content.

One commenter on a Reddit thread noted, “Google seems to want users to interact only with the top, monetized results… As searchers, we need to be able to self-tailor our experience to get the information we truly need.”

Another added that it would benefit users if companies re-enabled customizable settings without forcing external tweaks, stating, “A decade ago, Google was more helpful at prioritizing relevance. Today, e-commerce and professional SEO content almost exclusively dominate the top search results.”

The Road Ahead for Search Customization

Until search engines provide a more intuitive way for users to personalize their experience, old-school URL modifications may remain essential for deeper research needs. Meanwhile, alternative search platforms like DuckDuckGo or Bing may attract users looking for greater flexibility and fewer commercialized results.

For now, if you rely on Google for your day-to-day needs, the &num=100 method can still significantly enhance how you interact with search results. In an increasingly data-driven world, the control afforded by small adjustments like these underscores the evolving expectations of tech-savvy users everywhere.

This blog post serves as a reflection of the frustrations and ingenuity of users seeking broader control over their search experience—illustrating how professionals continue to adapt in a digital landscape not always designed with them in mind.