Google doesn't display the search results count anymore, but you can still find it
It's now under Tools
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In a major development, Google has stopped displaying the search results count (listed at the top) by default when you search for a query. Experts had long predicted the move ever since Google removed the results count from the Google Search Generative Experience in June last year.
This was confirmed by Barry Schwartz in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
When I checked, the search results count was missing. So, it appears that the change is applicable worldwide.
But Google hasn’t completely removed the count. Instead, it has been moved to the Tools section. From now on, if you want to see the results count for a specific query, perform the search as you usually do and then click on Tools. And voila, the result count is right there at the top right!
Google has, on multiple occasions, reiterated that the count displayed on the search page is, by no means, accurate and can’t be relied on. So, removing it from the default view wouldn’t make much of a difference, at least according to Google.
But many, including me, beg to differ!
SEOs often use the search results count to discover how many pages have been indexed for a website or to find out the competition for a particular keyword. The change is surely going to hurt them. And I am hoping Google doesn’t remove the count altogether sometime in the future.
Mixed reaction from users on Google removing the search results count
While some are happy with the uncluttered interface, others are finding the new process a little too tedious since you have to follow the same steps (look under Tools) for each query.
Makes sense, after positions 30-40 there is no difference at all in search results – same domains showing over and over again
It was always a bit random for casual searchers. Top of the page was vital info. Who cares that there are 789,000 results?! Was only there to show off how powerful their search was decades ago. Makes sense for SEOs so keep it under tools.
Plenty of other things they could do to clean up what’s become a very cluttered user experience…
Yeah, that was about the most useful information, because so much of what they gave you was phony
Personally speaking, I would want the search results count to be displayed by default on Google’s SERP. But it seems like that’s not what everyone wanted. And given Google’s admission that the data is not reliable, the change, most likely, won’t be reverted.
For the unversed, Bing has also reportedly removed the search results count. It now reads, Bing found these results, instead of an estimate.
What do you think about Google removing the results count? Share with our readers in the comments section.
