Go to any internet marketing forum you want these days and one of the topics is sure to be whether or not there is a "sandbox" at Google where new sites are forced to come and play for 3-6 months before joining the ranks of ranked and searched results. On the surface it would appear that this is so. New sites are typically taking a long time to get indexed and even longer to show up in the search results. So hence, the sandbox theory. Let's examine some possible reasons and more importantly, our reaction to it.
The most obvious possibility, (since no one outside of Google really knows) is that because of the proliferation of spam on the engines, Google is checking all the links to these new sites. Sometimes a new site will appear sporting thousands of backlinks, and this takes some time to check, even given a rolling schedule of indexing by that pesky spider! Google it seems is serious about link farms, and anything that smacks of that may take some time to get indexed. But then, so will most other sites. It is a very large index, (some say nearing capacity, though I doubt that will turn out to be true) and it is a gargantuan task to keep it current and free of extraneous (read poor) search results. There are other ideas out there, and conspiracy theories abound, one being that it is an evil plot to force newer sites in search of traffic to resort to paying for Google Adwords. Uh-huh. A particularly amusing thread is currently taking place at the High Rankings forum, a must-read for all conspiracy theorists!
Since we don't know, can't know, will not know for sure until the Google Gods unlock the keys to the kingdom and enlighten us; it only makes sense to this webmaster to get on with life. I've got new sites waiting, as do many. We all languish at PR0 until (or if) there's another update. Some sites get picked up quicker than others, and to some extent that is a measure of SEO. However just get over it! Since there's nothing concrete we can do except build great content sites with lots of relevant links (legitimate) why worry about any sandbox?!? Don't get your knickers in a knot! Write more content, articles, and get more sites to link to you because of the worth of your site. There are other sources of traffic, go get them! Do the right thing for your business. Spend time on it, not worrying about this.
Many of the leading voices in SEO agree that there may indeed be a "sandbox", and if there is, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. You don't want some farmer (link) ranking ahead of your carefully crafted content site, do you? Of course not! One thing is sure: if there is a sandbox, it belongs to Google and if you want to play, follow the rules and don't cry! Pay or play!
Keith Thompson is the Webmaster at Internet Marketing Here & Now! a site devoted to bringing you the latest and best in website promotion.
People often come to me in a state of crisis... Read More
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images... Read More
I recently received an unsolicited e-mail from some company offering... Read More
If you ever want to create a state directory, article... Read More
Just starting out, you can start with a simple informational... Read More
What is CSS?CSS is a simple file which controls the... Read More
You hear a great deal about the Internet these days... Read More
That's right. Your method, behavior and strategy you are now... Read More
You've put up a website to promote a product or... Read More
Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to... Read More
An accessible Web site is easily approached, easily understood, and... Read More
Starting an internet business can be confusing to non-veterans. The... Read More
One of the most useful features offered by some web... Read More
See how you can create graphic effects on text with... Read More
Project Safekids provides webmasters a valuable tool which could save... Read More
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
Go to any internet marketing forum you want these days... Read More
Web sites are not just places to sell things; they... Read More
An Introduction to Server Side IncludesBeginner? That's OK!While much has... Read More
If you were asked to put a value on your... Read More
The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) states that service providers must... Read More
Most interactive websites nowadays require data to be presented dynamically... Read More
D.zigns dzignerwebs The Basics Before starting on... Read More
That's right. According to a recent study by Nielsen/NetRatings, Amazon.com... Read More
Huge Mistake #1: Creating a Website with Flash -- Did... Read More
There are several reverse bid freelance sites out there. Beyond... Read More
Just like all things in life, the ways to run... Read More
I talk with so many people who have small businesses... Read More
In this example I have used the map of the... Read More
Fresh website content for your visitors can be of real... Read More
Dynamically Update Your Web Pages Via E-MailIf you can Send... Read More
If you don't have a web site yet, are thinking... Read More
2 Golden Rules for an Engaging Website35% of visitors fail... Read More
With the New Year upon us yet again, it's time... Read More
Internet has opened a whole new world for web developers... Read More
Every business needs to know how it is doing. That's... Read More
What happened on your website yesterday? What about last week... Read More
It may seem like the publishing industry's equivalent of Beanie... Read More
We've all seen those messages on some websites warning not... Read More
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
When you take a look at the most visited sites... Read More
You don't believe in astrology but you check your horoscope... Read More
After planning the design and content of your website, it's... Read More
Some left shoes are in isle 5, while the right... Read More
After having decided to start a business, the next thing... Read More
A company must earn and keep trust or sales don't... Read More
Functions and Subroutines in ASP If you read... Read More
I still remember it very clear ... It was almost... Read More
Recently, a friend asked "What's the deal with those DIY... Read More
1. Upload robots.txt file in to your root directory and... Read More
Web Development |