Do Spain/Schengen Visa Officers Compare Reapplications With Previous Refused Applications?

Need advice from people experienced with Spain/Schengen visas.
My first Spain Schengen visa application from India was refused under:
“Purpose and conditions of intended stay were not reliable.”
In my first application:
travel duration was 15 days
dates were 4 July – 19 July
I applied with hotel bookings only
Now I’m reapplying and I’m considering reducing the duration to maybe 7–8 days to make the itinerary look more realistic/credible.
My question is:
Do Spanish consulates/VFS cross-check the new application with the previous refused application in detail?
For example, if last time I applied for 15 days and now I apply for 7–8 days, would that create suspicion or inconsistency?
Or is reducing the duration actually seen positively for first-time Schengen applicants?
Would appreciate insights from anyone who has reapplied after refusal.