We've often said, especially during live presentations, that reading some of the search engine optimization press is a great way to keep current with what the major engines are up to.
One site I always mention (but also read and use) comes from our very good friend, Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Roundtable. He's not only a great friend but when it comes to search engine optimization (seo)/search engine marketing (sem), he's an expert to the max. Few know more and also know it as it's happening.
Before we move on we also need to say that inaccurate page totals are nothing new but this needs to be understood by all users. We think it's an important point to make during a training session. Also, it's not only a Google issue.
Barry's published a post today mentioning that, at the least to, be extra careful when using the site: command particularly with what people are currently reporting about Google.
SEO people use site: to check how many pages Google has indexed from their site. Of course, those of you who also run a web site or know the people who run your organizations web site fall in this category.
What we're wondering about (from the searcher perspective) is how site: behaves when combined with other commands and/or search terms? Does the combo make the numbers even less accurate? More accurate? Does it do anything negative to the actual search results not only for single word queries but for longer ones?
Barry also links to a July, 2009 post where it's suggested (by a Googler) to avoid the site: feature being used to obtain "rough" page estimates. Doing so will "not lead to useful results."
The post concludes with Schwartz asking some thought provoking questions about Google's site: command.
Bottom Line: Be careful using page totals from ANY web engine with or without any command.
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