Different results with Google operators link: and site: mixed

[nabucosound]

This is probably a dumb question as I am so tired and I am n00b with SEO, but...

Why am I getting many more results if I query google:

link:groupon.com -site:groupon.com

than if I simply do:

link:groupon.com

?

Isn't the first query supposed to filter out results from the same site?

[rlange]

I tried it with one of my company's websites ("link:threewordphrase.com -site:threewordphrase.com") and it suggested "link:three word phrase.com -site:expectantmothersguide.com". Note the spaces.

For some reason Google is seeing "link:threewordphrase.com" as a search term, not as an operator.

(Note: Although threewordphrase.com does exist, it is not actually my company's website. I was merely using it as an example.)

--
Ryan

[tedster]

Searches that combine more than one advanced operator are often dysfunctional these days.