If you’ve noticed that Google no longer shows the number of search results right away, you’re not imagining things. The result count is still there – just tucked away behind an extra click.
Where Did the Search Result Count Go?
Until recently, Google displayed an approximate number of results (like About 13,220,000,000 results) directly under the search bar on every results page. It was a quick way to gauge how much content existed for a search query.
Now, that number doesn’t appear by default.
🔎 How to Find It
To view the number of results for any Google search:
- Perform your search as usual.
- Click the “Tools” button below the search bar.
- You’ll see the number of results appear to the right of the filter options.
That’s all it takes – but unless you know to click “Tools,” you won’t see it.
Why Did Google Change This?
According to Google, this change is meant to reduce clutter and keep the focus on the actual results, not on the estimate of how many exist. The result count itself is also not precise – it’s an approximation, not a ranking metric or popularity score.
Google’s Search Liaison has suggested that if you want meaningful insight into a term’s popularity, the result count isn’t the tool for that.
Related: Is Google Drowning in Ads? (clutter!)
A Better Option for Popularity: Google Trends
If you’re trying to figure out how popular a search term really is, Google Trends is the better tool. It provides:
- Popularity over time
- Regional search interest
- Comparisons between terms
- Related trending searches
Google Trends is designed to track actual interest, not just how many pages happen to match a phrase.
Want the Result Count Back by Default?
There’s a free Chrome extension that restores the result count without needing to click “Tools” every time:
🧩 Bring back Google search result counter and display indexed pages →
Use at your own risk though….we have not used it.
Final Thoughts
Google didn’t remove the result count completely – it just made it less visible. While this change might not matter to most casual users, it can be frustrating if you rely on it for SEO or research. Luckily, the number is still accessible, and for deeper insights, Google Trends offers far more useful data.