site:example.com shows 183 vs site:example.com/cat1 shows 300+

[AjiNIMC]

When I do
site:example.com it shows 183 but when I do site:example.com/cat1 shows 318

site:example.com/cat1 is suppose to be lesser than site:example.com, isn't it?

I am seeing it for more than 2 sites, I need to check for others too.

183 is a common number that is stuck there. Anyone else noticing this?

Aji

[tedster]

I can't say much about that "183" number Aji, but seeing bigger numbers as you drill down into the site structure has been a affliction of the site: operator for a long time. I first posted about it two years ago: [webmasterworld.com...]

In that thread you'll see that it was already old news to steveb and others. In short, you cannot rely on the site: operator for truly actionable data!

[internetheaven]

Aye, the whole site: calculations shown at the top right should just be ignored. Best thing to do is click on the last page number at the bottom of the SERPS, then click the obligatory "we have hidden some results would you like to see them?" link, then click on the last page again and you'll see a closer number.