Different listed results to total results...continued

[PhilC]

In the other place, we had a discussion about Google stating a large number of results but only showing a few of them - something like 43 displayed from 20 odd thousand found. I just found this on the subject:-

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/33325.html

Somebody has the idea that it's Google's attempt to not display spam pages that's gone awry and is responsible.

[John Scott]

I wonder how accuarate that guess is. Google is definately weird - but I'm not sure that reason holds up.

[Mel]

Not quite sure that is the right answer.

Here is an excerpt of an email from Google regarding allinurl results which showed 1500 pages initially but then returned only 74 when the repeat the search with the omitted results included button was clicked:

As for your allinurl search results, the initial number returned for the results is only an estimate. It frequently changes once the robot has
actually returned the pages that match your query.

[kre8or]

Hmmm...interesting, but will have to look at few other versions of this!

[stupid camel]

it is a good question. I'm wondering the same thing these days. Looking forwards to reply.