I have noticed that different browsers have different SERPS. I have noticed two different sets of SERPS, one for Netscape-based browsers, and one for IE-based browsers. This to me is a very annoying feature of Google. I don't see how it adds to the user experience at all, and it just doubles the work for SEO. I ask fellow members of DP, why on earth does Google incorporate this feature?
the change in the positions is due to the search query getting response from the local data center with in seconds. When you search for your keyword, it collects information from the nearest data center with the search query you are looking for.
It is not a feature, it really does vary depending on a couple of factors. Browsers tend to show different results and here's a post with a video explaining why it does differ. You should also consider others such as, Google account logged-in or not, enabled or disabled web history based on customized search or personalized search as these factors also affect your SERP results on your browser.
Logged in or not and even logged out with google customization setting will have an impact on what you will see from one browser to another as well as one computer to another. Just depend on how you or the computer is set and configured. Some folks say they rank top 10 on page one, but if they really log out and disable google customization the results can be very different.
example : I do find FF will remember what keyword you search most often. If you you search same keyword and use the site very often (most of time is your site). Could be toolbar push your site to the top search result. That maybe the reason FF has different SERP . You may try to use a new PC/NB to find the real SERP.
Netscape browser was discontinued and now it is FF. That related to personal search feature. Just clear cookies.
Guys, I know about cookies and search personalisation. Even with this in mind, it is a fact that Netscape-based browsers(Firefox, Chrome) have different results from IE-based browsers(IE, Opera). It is a very annoying trait of Google's, and I think they should work towards fixing it.
Maybe you are logged in in one of them .. don't use search to check the serp .. you may do that by clearing cookies etc .. But I recommend using serp checkers like http://www.serprush.com/ for Google serp, nothing is better than http://www.seoserp.com/web_tools/google_top_1000_serps_checker.asp Good luck
it is not possible at all, you must be doing something wrong. And please check the URL correctly when you are going for SERP. There must be difference in URL like google.com, google.co.uk
This is not a fact. You can say that there *may* be a difference between them from time-to-time. That would be a fact. Right now I can open FF, Chrome, IE & Opera and all will provide the same exact results. Later today, that may not be the case.
Make sure you're not logged in with a google account on all the browser, Also make sure you're using the either the local Google site or the global one on all browser.
I've noticed it as well, specially since I started using Opera. Opera SERPs versus Firefox SERPs are totally different for some queries. I coudn't find an explanation besides personalization (being logged in, cache and so). So I came up with my own: I believe every browser connects/queries different Google datacenters giving back different results depending on a number of localization variables (geolocation, browser language, platform language and other regional settings). Again, it is my own explanation and it does make sense to me based on my experience working with international google sites (google.com, google.au, google.com.uk, ...)