I can see why companies might not want to tell you that you are lower on the list and they are waiting to see if they can get anyone better (perhaps even interv

I can see why companies might not want to tell you that you are lower on the list and they are waiting to see if they can get anyone better (perhaps even interviewing additional candidates), but it puts you in an unpleasant position because you feel (correctly) that they are stringing you along and not being straight with you.