Thanks Mjewel for excellent posts. I have learned something new from your posts. ( again) But I still have a question. How can we know a particular site is in sandbox ?
If I have a domain that is developed, but is less than 3 months old, it is in the sandbox and nothing but time is going to change that. Continue building links during this time - which is sometimes hard because you aren't going to see any benefit immediately - and then when the time period passes, the filter on your links should be removed. If your site has been fully developed for more than 3-4 months, then I would start looking to make some changes or add more links because I don't think the problem is the sandbox - although many claim it lasts longer, I think there are too many other factors that could be the reason. Google is constantly changes its algorithm and I stopped trying to chase down every little tweak. Content is King, but you have to play the link building game for now (which I hate). It's not highly unusual to see a #1 ranking drop out completely - with no changes - but it usually comes back. It's "normal" for google SERPS to change - and sometimes drastically. I wait at least a month before changing anything. This has proved successful for me with google. Yahoo is a different story. I have no idea of what their problem is with new sites. I have many older sites that rank well with yahoo, but I am having a problem with yahoo including and then dropping a site. I have wondered whether this has something to do with new sites running adsense, but it's just a semi-thought right now. I had a new site get immediately indexed and ranked in yahoo and the site wasn't even completed. The only difference was I hadn't put adsense on the site (I ususally include adsense for design purposes even though I don't expect immediate clicks). I am putting up some new sites shortly and will put a photo where the adsense will go eventually. Older sites have no yahoo problem- with or without adsense. I'll add that all my sites are original content, no template, affiliate sites or Amazon type shops. Some are e-commerce, some are informational only.
Thanks Mjewel, This was what I tried to check sandbox effect, but I'm not sure how much correct it can be. I will try to search the term using allinanchor operator to determine the position so far. But I'm confused will I get the ranking shown after sandbox is removed. could you enlighten about allinanchor and sandbox ? Thanks.
Sorry, I can't answer that question. Maybe someone else can. I go by: Develped & indexed site older than 4 months = not in sandbox. Domain newer than 3 months = sandbox. I don't think it is possible to "prove" it by any type of search. You may be out of the sandbox, but you aren't ranking high because of content or links. Most highly competitive keywords require links to your site in order to rank well. If google isn't counting them, you won't show up the first hundred results. If you are ranking in the top 30 for a highly competitive keyword, then I would say you aren't in the sandbox. Links are only one part of the key to ranking. You can still get traffic based on your content. I had a new domain that got results immediately because the domain name was the same as the keyword phrase i.e. if someone typed in "blue widgets" and the domain was "bluewidgets.com" google is going to give you traffic even without any links. Use the digitalpoint "keyword suggestion" tool to get an idea of how many searches are being performed for your keyword. That will give you an idea of how competitive it is. When I first started, I tried those guidlines of keyword density percentages, etc., but I gave up trying to find the magic formula and just concentrated on naturally sounding text that uses the keyword phrase I am trying to target. I am not an expert by any means.
Someone posted a link to this tool that supposedly shows you what the Google results would be without certain filters. I'm not sure if it totally convinces me, but you may see higher listings for your websites, and that ranking *may* be what you would have if you wern't in the sandbox. Here's the link http://roberttaft.com/no_filter.htm In any case, it's kinda interesting
Sandbox means different things to different people - which I guess reflects the fact that Google have probably different variables tweaked in different ways. As a linkbuilder, you used to be able to drop tens of thousands of links and see an impact within weeks. Now it can take months. Last client I had sandboxed was there for 6 months, but his rankings have come out fighting since. Ultimately, need patience, and think SEO as a long-term project with long-term goals for most business applications, most especially with relatively younger domains.
I agree with mjewel sandbox has nothing to do with dmoz listing. Its like a that ur website has been suspended for atleast 3 months prison period and u can get bail depending upon the quality backling u have done during that period. During sandbox u will be able to see backlinks but still ur SERPS are no where.
Sandbox is not only consider how old your site is. The old of your backlinks also a factor. Listing at Dmoz cannot guarantee that you'll get out of the sandbox. but it helps. I suggest while your site still in the box, go for PPC or target a non competitive keyword. Cheers!
My experience has been that while I am waiting out the sandbox and doing SEO for MSN and Yahoo, that will help me when I am out of the sandbox.