Some websites are not ranked by Google, as they are placed in the Google Sandbox for unethical SEO practices. This phenomenon has sparked much debate amongst website owners. The following takes a look at the Google Sandbox.

What is the Google Sandbox?

The Google Sandbox is also referred to as:

• Sandboxing
• Sandbox Effect
• Google Penalty

The Google Sandbox is basically a peanalty imposed by Google. The Google Sandbox effect occurs when a websites or webmaster in charge of a website does unethical SEO. This prevents the site from being indexed and ranked in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). Once the deception has been resolved and application can be made to have ones site removed from the sandbox. Once this occurs Google trusts that the site is not spam it can leave the sandbox.

Time in the Sandbox

Sites can be placed in the sandbox for three to six months or indefinitely. If websites do not rectify their bad SEO techniques they can stay in the sandbox forever.

SEO Websites

A site may still be placed in the sandbox despite the fact that it has been optimised correctly and has:

• Credible links
• Good keywords and keyword phrases
• Good content
• Good Google PageRank

Sandbox Denial

A number of people believe that the sandbox is real, while others deny its existence. After March 2004 users, or optimisation experts, began to notice the Google sandbox effect. Whether the sandbox effect is real or imagined, the fact remains that some websites do land up not being indexed or ranked by Google because of the site owner or webmaster breaching Googles terms and conditions. 

Reasoning Behind the Google Sandbox

Unfortunately a number of site owners and webmasters try to optimise their site by using unethical SEO techniques. Most of these sites were spam sites that stayed on the World Wide Web for a short period of time. The site would immediately receive good SERPs rankings for their site content. This would lead to sales and online revenue. Once Google recognised the site was spam it would ban the site. The influx of spam sites lead Google to develop the sandbox filter.   

Some unethical SEO practices include:

• Buying bulk links
• Using duplicate content
• Keyword stuffing
• Submitting sites to link farms
• Hiding the content ie copy which is white on white so that users can't see it but search engines can.

Sandboxed Sites

Any site can be placed in the sandbox if the webmaster alows unethical SEO practices to occur on the site. This being the case it is better do do SEO correctly and in the right time to avoid the sandbox. There is also no guarantee that if you fix your unethical SEO that your site will be removed form the sandbox.

Time in the Sandbox

If your website has been placed in the sandbox the only way to get out is make an application and to wait. In time the site may be able to leave the sandbox. Although this can be frustrating, it does not have to be a waste of time. Use the time you have to improve your website. This will help your site to gain good SERPs after being sandboxed. It is even suggested that a site can rank well on other search engines (such as MSN or Yahoo) while it is in the Google Sandbox. During "sandbox time" you can:

• Add quality content to your site.
• Build good backlinks, which can lessen the effect of new link dampening.
• Add a sitemap to your site.
• Test your site for any broken links.
• Improve your site.
• Use ethical SEO techniques and remove all unethical SEO techniques.

Fighting the Google Sandbox

Whether the Google Sandbox is real or not, it cannot be fought. Attempts to fool the sandbox will lead to more trouble. Rather use the sandbox "timeout" to fix your SEO and your site.

Google Sandbox Tips

While you can't fool the Google Sandbox there are ways to minimise its effect. Some Google Sandbox tips include:

• Choose keywords and keyword phrases that are less competitive.
• Launch the first few pages of the site when they are ready, as you don't have to launch the entire site at once.
• Create a domain name before you design your website. This will help to age your domain name.
• Buy an aged domain name.
• Buy an expired domain name.
• Submit your site to other popular search engines, such as MSN or Yahoo. Take note that the site might have to be optimised for a specific search engine.

Conclusion

Although people have expressed disappointment with the Google Sandbox phenomenon, in the long run it helps to eliminate spam. This means that the good guys can get the high rankings. Without the filter, spam websites would continue to make a profit, while credible sites lose out. It is important to remember that your site is not being punished or singled-out if it is placed in the Google Sandbox.

Further Articles

• What is SEO?
• What is Black Hat & White Hat SEO?
• SEO and Search Engine Rankings
• SEO Misconceptions
• How to Choose Relevant Directories to List On