Is google's search database smaller than it used to be?

When I use quotes, I can no longer find information that I know is there, for example, a few web pages that still have my name on them, or a friend's page that I know exists. Also, for some obvious phrases, it says there are no search results at all, anywhere in the entire world. I know that can't be true, unless they've pared down their database to exclude that result.

The data base hasn't diminished that I know of but the SEO scramble for who gets to be "king of the hill" has buried a lot of good info.

Try google advanced search:

http://www.google.com/advanced_search