When Google removed the &num=100 search parameter — the method rank trackers used to pull the first 100 results in one go — it forced nearly every tool in the industry to rethink how deep they track and how often they refresh rankings. If you’re not familiar with what “num=100” actually means or why it matters, check out our explainer here: What Is num=100? Instead of adapting with more efficient data providers or smarter APIs, most trackers quietly reduced depth and update frequency to control costs. Here’s what that looks like today:
| Rank Tracker | Depth & Frequency | Notes |
| AccuRanker | Top 30 results daily Top 100 results twice per month | Reduced full-depth updates to lower data usage and API cost. |
| SE Ranking | 6 pages deep | Limits depth to balance speed and cost. |
| Authority Labs | 5 pages deep | Reduced depth after Google’s num=100 change. |
| Nightwatch | 5 pages deep | Similar cost-control limits on maximum SERP coverage. |
Why Are They Doing This?
In short: to control costs. When Google removed native support for pulling 100 results in one request, most rank trackers faced a 10× increase in data costs. Each page of Google now requires a separate query, so checking ten pages means ten times the workload and API expense. Rather than let users decide how deep to track, many platforms simply reduced their maximum depth, updated less often, or charged extra for “deep tracking.” The result? You get less visibility while paying the same or more.
Where DataForSEO Changed the Game
DataForSEO — the provider powering SEO Maven’s Rank Tracker — continues to lead the way. Their SERP API now uses a transparent tiered pricing model, where each page of 10 results costs about $0.0006, and each additional page costs roughly 75 % less. That means full Top 100 coverage runs about $0.00465 per keyword in the Standard Queue. Even better, DataForSEO recently added the new Stop-on-Match feature — which automatically ends the crawl the moment your site appears in the results. That means if you already rank on page 1 or 2, you skip the rest, saving 50–90 % of API costs instantly. This combination of tiered pricing + Smart Depth auto-stop makes deep tracking practical again — accurate data without wasted API calls.
Our Take: Let the User Control Depth
At SEO Maven, we believe control should be in your hands. Whether you care about page 1 or full Top 100 coverage, you choose your tracking depth — 10, 50, or 100 results — and pay only for the data you actually use, with Stop-on-Match automatically ending the crawl when your site is found. Every keyword. Every position. Every page. Powered by the same DataForSEO data trusted by leading SEO tools — now smarter and 50–90% more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the num=100 update?
The num=100 update refers to Google’s removal of the search parameter that allowed rank trackers to pull the first 100 search results in one request, leading to increased data costs for tracking tools.
How did rank trackers respond to the num=100 update?
Most rank trackers reduced their tracking depth and update frequency to control costs, resulting in less visibility for users while maintaining or increasing their fees.
What is DataForSEO’s approach to tracking after the num=100 update?
DataForSEO offers a tiered pricing model that allows for full Top 100 coverage at a lower cost, along with a Stop-on-Match feature that saves API costs by ending the crawl when a site appears in the results.
Why is it important to control tracking depth?
Controlling tracking depth is crucial for managing costs and ensuring that users only pay for the data they actually use, allowing for more efficient tracking of keyword rankings.