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A week ago, we ran a new poll asking our readers if they feel the Google Sandbox still exists.
The 175+ results are now in and I wanted to share them with you.
- 66.1% said the Google Sandbox still exists
- 33.9% said the Google Sandbox does not exist.
We ran a similar poll last year where the results were about the same. Here is some more history on the Google Sandbox.
The Google Sandbox goes back to April 2004. We first spotted it when I wrote New Sites = Poor Results in Google, then it became known as the Sandbox effect and had controversial definitions. Matt Cutts confirmed the sandbox existed, somewhat, in his Coffee Talk with Brett Tabke. But since then, we really did not discuss it much.
Forum discussion continued at WebmasterWorld.
Note: This was written early on the week and scheduled to go live today.
Comments:
Wesley Atkins
11/01/2010 11:09 pm
I've built tons of niche sites online in the past few years and can say with absolute certainty that the Sandbox exists.. I've spent a long time testing out theories to avoid it, so here's how I typically avoid the sandbox now on a new domain: Rule No: 1. Ensure basic SEO - Unique title tags across all page - Unique description tags on all pages (or use none) - Ensure no broken links / 404 error pages Rule No: 2. Avoid the mass mindset - Don't submit your site to 1000's of article directories - Don't submit your site to 1000's of social bookmarking sites - Don't submit build links with spun content - Don't syndicate your site with RSS to 100's of directories Rule No: 3. Link Building Guidelines - Ensure link diversity - Ensure sufficient anchor text rotation - Avoid buying or selling links for SEO manipulation - Make sure to deeplink your long tail pages too not just your homepage - Avoid sitewide links with the same anchor text Rule No: 3. Design / Content Guidelines - Ensure you use 100% unique content on your site - Don't have a double adsense block at the top of your site - Don't build MFA (Made for adsense) sites that offer no additional value Important: Once you have authority (TrustRank) in your domain, you can get away with all the above, just not on a new site.
Ken Ashe
03/15/2012 06:49 pm
The sandbox exists! My site (about a month old) was the top hit in google yesterday, and now the homepage can't be found. I'm trapped in the Sandbox for now, but I'm sure it'll pass.