Google Sandbox :A quicksand of SEO

Google Sandbox is a myth or reality is still a topic of discussion. Webmasters on the basis of their experience defined this term in various ways. I am discussing this on the basis of my experience.

Most commonly it is an act of Google where Google temporarily decreases the page rank of new domains in order to counter the attempt Google's page ranking by creating lots of inbound links to a new web site from other web sites.

We all know that getting more inbound links can increase page rank and in return your domain will rank higher on your targeted keyword search. Now if we have a practical look then you can find the reason.

Suppose that DOMAIN 1. has a good content and is beneficial for user point of view. They are not doing SEO but it deserves to be at the 1st search page of Google with KEYWORD X. Now another domain say DOMAIN 2. launches and it does not provides relevant content and thus not beneficial for user point of view but yet it manages to get numerous inbound links either by buying them or through other sites that they own. In this case if the sandbox does not exist then DOMAIN 2 will rank higher than DOMAIN 1 in Google which is wrong.

To restrict this an algorithm is written so that when ever a new domain gets launched and SEO works starts on it then it ranks higher as usual but when it manages to get a particular amount of links then it gets trapped in SAND BOX. It's page rank will decrease and will remain their temporarily. Google algorithm will have a close watch on it regarding its content and other factors and if this domain get passed then it is released from the SAND BOX and allowed to be a contender for TOP ranking (say among 1st search result .)


Does the Sand Box effects the entire site ?

A:- No, Sand box limit is different for different keywords. For example if your domain has 3 targeted keywords and 2 of them are less competitive then it is obvious that they doesn't require Google attention as they are not searched by all or is not a competitive one. But in case of that most competitive keyword Google needs a close watch before releasing it as TOP contestant.
So it will not effect your site but it surely will effect your keyword if it is a competitive one.


Can getting into Sand Box be avoided ?

A:- No, its a quality check process with which every one has to go specially if the keyword is very competitive. But their is way to get out of it with no delay.

How can one predict that his domain has fallen into SAND BOX on a particular keyword ?

A:- Suppose you have recently launched your site and chooses few competitive keywords. You started doing SEO and after a couple of weeks you observed that your keyword is getting Google rank say 500+. You became optimistic. After working a couple of months say 3 months your keyword is ranking 100+ and you got a page rank too. Suddenly on the next day you are seeing that your Google page rank has gone and your keyword is not within 500. Then make realise that your site is under SAND BOX observation for this key word.

How can i get rid of this ?

A:- No one can get rid of this but one can follow few tricks so to get out of the SAND BOX as quickly as possible. Suppose you have a keyword XYZ for which your site is in SAND BOX. Now remember that being in Sand Box means that your domain is under direct observation of Google for this keyword. So what you need to do is that assume Google is your current user of the site/domain who wants to see how relevant your site is for this keyword. So prepare your site for this either by changing your content to some extent or by focusing your services to this keyword or anything that you think will work in this situation. Work hard and you will find that you are out of it.