Difference between "link" vs "+" results

[srehman]

I am kind of confused and would like the experts help in getting some explanation.

When I click the Query (i) button on Google tool bar for my web site (http://www.irisfirm.com/) and do a search for backward links, it uses (link:www.irisfirm.com) to do the search. With this search, my site returns zero results for backward links in Google.

But when I do a (+www.irisfirm.com) search on Google, it returns many links.

I have also tried many other tools that show quite a few backward links on Google.

1. So, what is the difference between "link" vs "+" search?

2. If it is not the same, which one is counted towards your PR?

3. Can I do something to my web site to get results on "link" searches?

4. Do I even need to worry about this at all?

Thanks

Seth

[cbp]

Do I even need to worry about this at all?

Don't worry about it.
All links count.

CBP

[Dave Hawley]

As cpb has stated, no need to worry. There is no reliable way to find out links in from Google. This is by design of Google.

[Dave Hawley]

As cpb has stated, no need to worry. There is no reliable way to find out links in from Google. This is by design of Google.

[PastorRick]

You can at least get an idea of how much you are found in google by simply typing in the name of your website. The last time I did this for our Christian ISP I simply typed in Crossway Christian ISP which is in our site title and it returned 8950 listings.

I don't know if Google considers those as reciprocal links or not but it gives you an idea how much Google actually has on you.