Google Indexing "less specific" pages

Just wondering

[rocknbil]

I've recently made some improved changes to a site, serving more keyword-targeted pages and meta descriptions. It's been about a week and my updates are showing quite an improvement for most of the pages.

This is an ecommerce site. Mod_rewrite is used to serve keyword-rich URL's; the basic structure is main category product page -> product detail page, with subcategories optional. The code is all valid 4.01 trans., keywords are well placed in the pages in *actual* text copy, no spam techniques are used, no cloaking. The categories AND subcategories are one link off the main page, the product pages themselves are one link off from either of those, wih navigation into the main categories from *anywhere* on the site. Clear concise navigation, no stupid web tricks (no javascript navigation, no flash, no obtrusive stuff, fully accessible.) The product detail pages do not open in new windows. All titles and meta-descriptions are unique to the pages. Straightforward stuff.

Here is my question: Why do my category/subcategory pages index better than the product detail pages? The product detail pages contain a scant amount of keyword copy, it's mostly just a product title, thumbnail image, add to cart, and a short keyword-rich paragraph at the bottom and in the meta - description. The product detail pages have full paragraphs, and are certainly "more relevant" than the category pages.

Example: "large blue widget" returns a page two result linking to the category page that contains all widgets, but the specific page to the large blue widget is not indexed at all, at least not yet (but I did give up by page 9, as most would.)

A bit perplexing, maybe it's just not indexed yet.

[pageoneresults]

Link paths to the product pages? It sounds like the actual product pages are one step further down the link path? If so, it will take a little time (and some PageRank) to get those indexed properly. I know "you know" you have direct influence over this and it all goes back to the link paths.

For example...

/root/cat/product/

/root/ at PR5
/cat/ at PR4
/product/ at PR2/3

Changing link paths will redirect the flow of PageRank and allow you to bring those deeper pages to the top.

[rocknbil]

Thanks pageoneresults! Yes when accessed from the site it's as you say - they have to open a category, subcategory, or do a search to access *most* of the products directly (some linked from main page.) However if the page gets indexed or in my links from Froogle or my sitemap, etc. - they are direct.

sitename.com/direct_to_widget_product

Mod_rewrite is my best friend. :-)

[pageoneresults]

Mod_rewrite is my best friend.

lol!

ISAPI_Rewrite is my best friend.