Google Testing Showing Only 4 Organic Results

[jeffm2009]

People on various SEO blogs have been reporting occasionally seeing only 4 organic results in SERPs in the past couple weeks. If Google starts doing this permanently, this could have a huge impact on the importance of ranking #1-4 as well as increased CTR on ads. Check out this screenshot:

 

[(O_o)]

most of the time I see them return low amt of results like that is when its a local biz/place I am Googling.

 

[Sohan]

Just because Facebook does shit like this, doesn't mean you can Google

 

[svigor]

It would not be very good but first 4 will recieve huge amount of traffic if they are in top 4

 

[siri om]

seeing this today, rest are bloody local results. google gone fucking mad.

 

[twmaffun3]

this could be good, or bad. ranking 1-4 would be awesome. people dont like to scroll

 

[tbirie]

people are lazy... they don't like to scroll, but for the most part they don't even like to look past the top 3 or 4 anyway. Get it to the Top!

 

[seabreeze]

Top 4 slots receive 80% of traffic anyhow, so not material for major key words.

 

[secci]

Top 4 slots receive 80% of traffic anyhow, so not material for major key words.

that will change to like 95%+ if only 4 results were listed, meaning if your not top 4 don't bother.

 

[robognome]

It's hard to catch this. Google doesn't highlight the top ads anymore. I guess they enjoy the additional revenue.

 

[Selke01]

Just because Facebook does shit like this, doesn't mean you can Google

omg it is a pain in the ass searching for things on facebook, its a lose for usability

 

[Kysersoze]

Wow I have a few sites on the first page and have yet to budge from the 6th spot. My sales jumped up dramatically when I got to that spot but this would kill me. Guess I better keep trying

 

[kean2]

no way - I think this is bad move.most of the time you will find more quality less SEOed site in 4-10 places.

 

[Vicare]

No ones spelled out the real reason Google would do this.

Right now paid ads take up maybe 20% of a search results page.

They'd be more than 50% if they did this.

 

[bubolini]

Damn monopolists. I've also noticed sites like Ehow, Wikipedia and .gov websites are seriously pushed forward. Gnoodle - not all people wanna read that sh*t.

As a random G user, I really find this too repelling. I thought it was supposed to be a search engine, not a classified ads website.

 

[Bofu2U]

And not one person has put together that this is based on previous search history and only is for you, and isn't SERP wide? I've never seen it go past 1 person's personalization.