Google Sandbox
What is the Google Sandbox? You have heard whispers and rumours of this dreaded Google Sandbox so what is it? Well its not quite the abyss that many people claim but it can certainly seem that way for new web sites.
What is the Google Sandbox?
The Google Sandbox is essential a filter or probationary period that is applied to new web sites. So what gets you put in the sandbox? Well by rights virtualy all new web sites that go into Google experience some form of sandboxing. The sandbox, ironicaly, actualy gives you a bit of a boost for a short period initialy. Many web masters are delighted to see their sites rank so well straight away but are then mortified when they sucombe to the perils of the sandbox!
How long is the sandbox?
Well this is an interesting question, to one which there is no definitive answer. The Google sandbox although applied to all new web sites is related to the competetiveness and commercialness of the search term being searched. Itis possible to for a new site to rank for super "high streength light weight left handed widgets", because there is very little competition for them and they are not considered a major commercia term but try ranking for widgets on its own, a term that returns stock values and has major investment in and you will struggle in the sandbox for a long time! Even established web sites that put up new pages on commercial terms struggle with some form of sandboxing. Periods of 3 - 9 months are typical. Recent research has shown that the duration of the sandboxing has a random element to it which makes sense because you can't fugre anythng out in an algorithm if you can't isloate all of the variables!
How to get out of the Sanbox
Sorry, there is no magic answer or trick despite the many many wild theories and claims out there. The sandbox was something that split the SEO community for about 1 year. Many people could see the effects but couldn't attribute it to anything, they flatly refused to believe that there was a sandbox. I was always in the school of thought that it did exist. I used to say, even if you don't believe in the sandbox you can't ignore what happens to new websites. I am still shocked to see how long it took before people actualy accepted its existnace!
There is no magic trick but you can help things along. By getting good quality relevant links and adding fresh content to your site you are doing the best you can. You will ultimately come out of the sandbox.