How to get 100 results on Google SERP?

Unlocking the Century Mark: A Comprehensive Guide to Displaying 100 Google SERP Results

For many researchers, SEO professionals, and curious web users, the default ten results on a Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP) can feel restrictive. While Google aims for conciseness and relevance, there are often times when a broader, more expansive view of the search landscape is desired. Thankfully, Google offers a straightforward method to expand this default to a more robust 100 results. This guide will walk you through the process, explain the benefits, and touch upon some important considerations.

The Quest for More: Why 100 Results?

Before we delve into the ‘how,’ let’s consider the ‘why.’ Why would you want to see 100 results on a Google SERP when the first page typically serves the most relevant and authoritative sources?

• Comprehensive Competitive Analysis: For SEO professionals, seeing a larger pool of competitors in one go allows for a more holistic understanding of the search landscape for a particular keyword. You can identify more long-tail competitors, niche sites, and emerging players that might not surface on the first page.
• Deeper Research and Information Gathering: When conducting in-depth research, expanding the results provides a wider array of sources, perspectives, and data points. This is particularly useful for academic research, investigative journalism, or when exploring complex topics.
• Identifying Niche Content and Hidden Gems: The first few pages of Google are often dominated by large, established websites. By extending the results, you increase your chances of uncovering smaller, highly specialised, or lesser-known websites that might offer unique insights or valuable information.
• Keyword Brainstorming and Expansion: Seeing more results can spark ideas for related keywords, long-tail variations, and content gaps. You can observe the language and phrasing used by a wider range of websites.
• Understanding Search Intent More Fully: While Google’s algorithms are sophisticated, reviewing a larger set of results can sometimes provide a more nuanced understanding of the various interpretations of a search query and the different types of content Google deems relevant.

The Simple Path to a Hundred: A Step-by-Step Guide

Enabling 100 results on your Google SERP is a surprisingly simple process, though it’s a setting that many users are unaware of. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Access Google Search Settings

First, you need to navigate to Google’s main search settings. There are a couple of ways to do this:

• Via the Google Homepage: Go to google.com. In the bottom right corner of the page, you’ll usually see a link that says “Settings” or “Preferences.” Click on this.
• Via a Search Results Page: If you’ve already performed a search, look for the “Settings” option. This is typically located near the top right of the page, often under a cogwheel icon (⚙️) or a “More” menu. Click on “Search settings.”

Step 2: Locate the “Results per page” Option

Once you’re in the “Search settings” menu, you’ll see various options related to your search experience. Look for a section or dropdown menu labelled “Results per page” or “Number of results.”

Step 3: Select 100

Within the “Results per page” section, you’ll likely see a slider or a dropdown menu with different numerical options. The default will typically be set to 10. Slide the selector or choose “100” from the dropdown.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

Crucially, after making your selection, you must save your changes. Scroll to the bottom of the “Search settings” page and click the “Save” or “Save Changes” button. Google will often confirm that your preferences have been saved.

Important Note on Persistence: These settings are typically saved as a cookie in your browser. This means that if you clear your browser’s cookies, or if you use a different browser or device, you’ll need to re-apply this setting. If you are signed into a Google account, these preferences may sometimes be associated with your account, offering a more persistent experience across devices. However, this can vary, so it’s always worth checking if the setting has stuck.

Beyond the Century Mark: Considerations and Limitations

While displaying 100 results is a powerful feature, it’s important to be aware of some considerations:

• Loading Times: Loading 100 results on a single page can significantly increase the page load time, especially if your internet connection is slow or you’re using an older device. Be prepared for a slight delay.
• Information Overload: While the aim is to provide more information, seeing 100 results at once can also lead to information overload. It can be challenging to sift through so much data effectively. Consider using browser extensions or tools that help summarise or categorise search results if you find yourself overwhelmed.
• Relevance Diminishment: As you go further down the 100 results, the relevance of the results to your initial query will generally decrease. Google’s algorithms are designed to put the most pertinent information at the top.
• Google’s Algorithmic Nuances: Even with 100 results, you’re still viewing a filtered version of the web. Google’s algorithms constantly evolve, and what appears in the top 100 might not be the absolute entirety of all indexed pages relevant to your query.
• Mobile Experience: While the setting can be applied to mobile browsers, the visual experience of 100 results on a smaller screen can be unwieldy. It’s generally more practical for desktop or laptop use.
• Not All Queries Yield 100 Results: For very niche or obscure queries, Google might not even have 100 genuinely distinct and relevant results to display. In such cases, you’ll simply see fewer than 100, even with the setting enabled.

Enhancing Your 100-Result Experience

To make the most of your expanded SERP view, consider these tips:

• Refine Your Search Queries: Even with 100 results, precise and well-crafted search queries will yield more valuable information. Use advanced search operators (e.g., site:, intitle:, "exact phrase") to narrow down your focus.
• Utilise Browser Search (Ctrl+F/Cmd+F): Once the 100 results have loaded, use your browser’s “Find” function to quickly locate specific keywords or phrases within the visible text snippets.
• Consider SEO Tools: For highly sophisticated competitive analysis or keyword research, while the 100-result view is a good starting point, dedicated SEO tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Moz will offer more in-depth data and analysis capabilities.
• Bookmark Key Findings: As you sift through the results, make use of your browser’s bookmarking feature to save pages that are particularly relevant or insightful.
• Be Patient and Strategic: Viewing 100 results requires a more methodical approach. Don’t rush through them. Take your time to skim titles, descriptions, and URLs to identify patterns and potential leads.

Conclusion

The ability to display 100 results on a Google SERP is a powerful, yet often underutilised, feature. By taking a few simple steps in your Google Search settings, you can unlock a significantly broader view of the web, empowering deeper research, more comprehensive competitive analysis, and the discovery of valuable content that might otherwise remain hidden. While it comes with its own set of considerations, understanding and strategically employing this feature can significantly enhance your search experience and information gathering capabilities. So, the next time you embark on a digital quest, consider going for the century – you might be surprised by what you find.