Why do the number of facebook friends change?

[CornellWeasel]

Does anyone know why a facebook might say on the front page that the person as X number of friends, but when you go to see the friend list, the number changes? (in target's case, it changes to a number smaller than "X")

[Angry Johnny]

privacy settings.  Some people (teachers especially) make their profiles completely private to the public.  Therefore, you might find the friend number different.  Other reasons: if you were blocked by someone, they won't show up on a common friend's list.

[CornellWeasel]

Interesting. Don't think it's because I'm blocked. At least my fake isn't and that's what I use for snooping. Funny thing is that this one person doesn't show up on target's friend list at all (the "view all" list) but her facebook is public ( found it by looking at the target's wall, which includes a note of when target accepted that person as a friend).

[Angry Johnny]

ahh, see, with the new facebook settings, they leave it up to the person 'adding' the friend to determine whether the friend acceptance is public or not.  Even if a profile is private (now), they'll still show up as being added as a friend. They changed the rules on us.