# Site diversity

Category: [Google Updates & Algorithms](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/google-updates-algorithms/) › [Ranking systems](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/google-updates-algorithms/ranking-systems/) · Also known as: Site diversity system

**Site diversity** is a Google ranking system that generally keeps more than two listings from the same site out of the top results. It concerns the variety of results in Google Search.

## How does site diversity work?

Google says the system generally will not show more than two web page listings from the same site in its top results, so that no single site fills every top position. Exceptions apply when more listings are especially relevant for a search, for example when someone searches for a specific brand.

According to reports on Google's announcement, subdomains and the main domain are generally treated as one site. In some cases Google treats subdomains as separate sites.

## Since when does it apply?

Google announced the change on June 6, 2019, according to 9to5Google (Engadget dates it June 7), in response to user feedback asking for more variety. Google now lists site diversity as a current system.

## Example

An online shop ranks with three product pages and a category for "women's hiking boots". In the top results, typically only two of these pages appear, even if all of them rank well.

## At a glance

- **Started:** June 2019 (according to reports)
- **Completed:** listed by Google as an active system
- **Type:** ranking system
- **Affects:** number of listings from one site in the top results
- **Confirmed by:** yes
- **Docs:** [Google: Ranking systems guide](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ranking-systems-guide)

Last checked: October 8, 2026

## Related terms

- [Subdomain](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/subdomain/index.md)
- [Ranking position](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/ranking-position/index.md)
- [Deduplication systems](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/deduplication-systems/index.md)
- [Google algorithm update](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/google-algorithm-update/index.md)

## Sources

- [A guide to Google Search ranking systems – Google Search Central](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/ranking-systems-guide)
- [Google Search Site Diversity – 9to5Google (secondary source, Jun 6, 2019)](https://9to5google.com/2019/06/06/google-search-site-diversity/)
- [Google Search won't show more than two top results from the same site – Engadget (secondary source, Jun 7, 2019)](https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/07/google-search-top-results-update/)

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Last updated: October 8, 2026
URL: https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/site-diversity/