Indexed URLs

I've noticed that in Web Master Tools, my URLs submitted is 23,987 and Google has indexed 15,962. I am only submitting showthread in my vBSEO Sitemap Generator

However, when I perform a Google search using 'site:domain.com', Google only shows me 'about 3,300 results'.

Which is more correct?

Neither is more right.... They are 2 different stats.

the sitemap is just a total of whats in the sitemap vs whats indexed.
the site command will cover EVERYTHING, sitemap or not, but it is also known to be inaccurate.

Plus, you likely want to add www's, as there is a difference. You SHOULDN'T have both indexed.
[How to] Setup www.yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com (www vs. non-www) - With .htaccess 301 redirects - vBulletin SEO Forums

Thanks Brian.

I get the same results with site:www or site: although I have chosen www and redirect all non-www to www.

where does G have the missing 14,700 URLS indexed to if not showing in site:? Why do they use the term index if it's not really indexed?

Originally Posted by melbo

Thanks Brian.

I get the same results with site:www or site: although I have chosen www and redirect all non-www to www.

where does G have the missing 14,700 URLS indexed to if not showing in site:? Why do they use the term index if it's not really indexed?

That's always a problem with updating the total indexing URLs in google no more or less, Let me give you an example :

If you merged your site with an old site using vbulletin impex tool, And we are all know after using this tool you should update your forum counters
Because the data is in your database correctly but the forum don't read it although this forum have the new posts and threads.

So the database have the new data but the forum don't read it because it's not updated yet .... And That's the same thing with Google you shouldn't look at site: because it's start to be inaccurate, You should now keep your eyes in your search long tail, Visitors from search engines so that's the best way to track your site indexing

So if you found your long tail increase then your site have the updated and the new daily content in search engines.

Thanks Marco. I can find almost any old (5 years back) thread as well as any new thread (in about 10 minutes) by searcing on it in Google directly. I'm not exactly sure how to check for 'long tail'

You're welcome, Please check these blogs for more info about long tail optimize

What is the Search Long Tail? - Blogs - vBulletin SEO Forums
Measuring Your Long Tail - Blogs - vBulletin SEO Forums