Google’s num=100 Removal Shakes SEO: 77% of Sites Lose Keyword Visibility

Last week, an SEO quake hit Google Search Console. Google’s sudden drop of the num=100 parameter seems to have slimmed down many reports overnight. Could it be that screener scrapers were inflating our dashboards for years? Maybe. But now the dust is settling and the real picture feels clearer—even if it looks weaker on first glance.

By the numbers

• Impressions: 87.7% of sites saw a decline.
• Query count: 77.6% of sites lost unique ranking terms.
• Keyword length: Short-tail and mid-tail keywords took the biggest hit.
• Rank positions: Fewer queries beyond page 3; more surfacing in the top 3 and on page 1.

It turns out that scrapers using &num=100 might have been pumping fake impressions into Google Search Console. When those extra impressions vanished, many websites saw a sharp drop in desktop impressions and an unexpected jump in average position since late last week. Honestly, it feels like cleaning clutter off a messy desk—you’re left squinting at what’s real.

The fallout

Platforms including Semrush and Accuranker have admitted glitches and are racing to patch them. Many SEOs have flagged dramatic drops and bloated average positions, pointing to years of distorted metrics.

Google hasn’t confirmed if this change is permanent or accidental. Gargula’s deep dive on 319 properties suggests the impact is far bigger than most suspected. What’s your take? Leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn to join the conversation.

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Sources:

• www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7374503350576275456/