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.