The results are based on what is in the tree. Connection finder is as accurate as what is in Wikitree.
Degrees of separation could take you through mariages and parents and siblings to get you to that person It doesn't mean you are blood related, just that you ae related to someone who is related to someone who is related t them.
With connection finder, you can select the shortest connection, Connection through a common ancestor, Connection through a common paternal-line ancestor, Connection through a common maternal-line ancestor, Connection through a common descendant. For example if you do a connection for you and me using the shortest connection, it connects us using a husband wife connection. If you use the common ancester option you get T H Martin is 17 Degrees from Tanya Jacobberger. If you use relationship finder you get T H and Tanya are 7th cousins once removed, T H Martin and Tanya (Peyton) Jacobberger are both descendants of Miriam (Taylor) Turpin (1723-1787).
Hope this helps.
Tanya