What actually is this sandbox effect? And how to I know if My site has been sandbox? Thank you so much for light up the ways
Sand box is another word for a filter that google puts on your site making it so none of your key words will put you anywhere on search results. If your sit is new, they will more than likely do this especially if your site grows rapidly, and it is to make sure that your not just putting out a spammy site. If your content is good and your site is legit, then they'll oust you in like 3 months or so...
The sandbox is the term used to explain why new sites appear further down in the SERP's than expected. It is only apparent on certain competitive keywords and can last up to a year. It is not really a penalty given to your site (although it may feel like it) but more a filter to stop your site appearing for certain search terms.
thanks guys, So is it suggested to buy a domain name and just place a one page .html in the main page even though you dont have any much content yet? Or should I have a fully develop site already then buy a domain name? >>this is because the later may save some money on the domain name.
The sandbox is an aging filter that applies to new domains and (older domain names only). Matt Cutts recently acknowledged google does have something that could be considered the sandbox (although they don't call it that) but that it doesn't apply to every sector. For practical purposes, it applies to any keyword that is competitive imo. During the sandbox period, google will not give your backlinks any weight when calculating SERPS. Backlinks will still show, and PR will Pass - it just isn't used for a period of time that lasts at least 90 days - and some claim a lot longer. Backlinks are only one part of the google algorithm, so it doesn't mean it's impossible to rank well during this period - but without backlinks being counted it makes it virtually impossible. There is nothing you can do to prevent the sandbox as it is based on the age of the site. Google grandfathered older domain names only PROVIDED there was no change in ownership. This was to prevent someone from going out any buying an older domain (name only) and getting around the sandbox. Established sites are not subject to the sandbox with an ownership change. Putting up a homepage with some type of original content starts the sandbox period, so yes, it would be a good idea to put up a homepage with some content and get it indexed. When you fully develop the site six months down the road, you'll have a head start on the sandbox period. The "sandbox" is often blamed for any site that isn't ranking well. To rank well with google for any competitive keyword, you need a lot of relevant backlinks. Check how many backlinks the sites ranking in the top 5 have for the keyword you are targeting and that will give you an idea of what you need to do. I see people post that they have been in the sandbox for 18 months, etc., and then you check and see they have 5 backlinks and the top ranking sites have several hundred.
Mjewel, Where has Matt commented on the filter only applying to certain sectors? I keep up on sandbox info, especially from the God himself, and I've not heard this before.
I think theirs a good chance that the sandbox doesn't apply to just the domain, but possibly also the backlinks with some sort of aging to reach full value.
The proof of this is if you launch a site and target a competitive keyword and an uncompetitive keyword and see where you show up in the serps for both. I have launched sites and been number 1 for very uncompetitive keywords within days.
It was from an interview with him. If I remember correctly, with Rand Fishkin of SEOmoz.org. At SES, there was a google engineer who acknowledged that all new sites, regardless of their merit, or lack thereof, go into a "probationary category." Google likely has a large list of keywords and phrases (anything competitive) that then apply to these sites via some kind of filter.
Have you got a url that we could look at mjewel? As far as I know google have always denied the existence of the sandbox (let alone it applying only to certain sectors).