What is the google sandbox?

The google sandbox appears to be a popular term for an effect which may not be applicable only to google. This term, also referred to without adding the name google, as in: the sandbox effect, or sandboxing, refers to new domains and an increased difficulty in ranking well on any of the search engines. Although not confirmed and highly debated, sandboxing could be one of the largest problems faced by webmasters, web designers, and web developers attempting to grow a new domain. Not only may they have to compete with the myriad of other sites in their niche or market, but, if sandboxing exists, they have to compete with roadblocks placed by the search engines themselves to keep the new domains locked (sandboxed) out.

Is the sandbox effect real?

In my experience of designing, developing, and preforming Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for websites, I have noticed that some things work better for older, established domains than for new domains. This observation essentially proves the sandbox effect does exists to some degree. However, it is the degree to which the sandbox effect exists that is the main question, rather than if it is real. And in my experiences, the sandbox effect appears to be different depending on the search engine, Google, Yahoo, or MSN.

• Google Sandbox: The Google sandbox is one of the most prominent. In fact, due to the harshness of this search engine in regard to the sandbox, the term Google Sandbox is more prevalent than the term sandbox itself.
• Yahoo Sandbox: The Yahoo sandbox is more forgiving than the Google sandbox, but not by much. I would say that if the Google sandbox is the hardest to overcome, the Yahoo sandbox comes in at a close second.
• MSN Sandbox: While I have seen proof of an MSN sandbox, it is no where as pronounced as that of Google or Yahoo. In some cases this search engine even appears to reward new websites and new content with higher rankings.

To sum up, yes, in my opinion the sandbox is real. However, it exists to a different extent on each of the major search engines.

How to overcome the sandbox effect.

While the theory of the sandbox effect may never be 100% proven, I have seen somethings which appear to work better for some search engines than others:

• Google Sandbox: While the Google sandbox is the worst, there is also a fairly clear cut, albeit difficult to stomach technique to dealing with it. First off, the Google sandbox requires good, solid SEO. Secondly, it requires time and patience.
• Yahoo Sandbox: The Yahoo sandbox is the second hardest to overcome but I have noticed one thing that seems to effect it to a greater extent than it effects the Google sandbox. Inbound links. It appears as if Yahoo search places more importance on inbound links earlier in the life of a domain than Google.
• MSN Sandbox: The MSN sandbox is the easiest to overcome. In fact, if it wasn’t for a few instances where I have noticed it, I would almost say it doesn’t exist. In order to overcome the MSN sandbox, simply perform your normal SEO routine and you should see results.

Although I believe the sandbox effect to be real in some degree and form on each of the major search engines, there are many out there who do not. You may hear of specific people stating that they have had a website list in the top 20 for a competitive keyword or search term within the first month of a domains life, but I believe these to be more publicity stunts then common place occurrences. Look a little further into the person that made the claim to see if it bears fruit. In my experiences, these people are selling something.

To Summarize:

• The Google sandbox is the worst, and hardest to overcome. Specifically focus on good SEO practices and remain when attempting to deal with this sandbox.
• The Yahoo sandbox is easier to deal with than the Google sandbox, but it is still no slouch. As with all websites, performing good SEO will help. Also, focusing on inbound links may be the trick to overcoming the Yahoo sandbox.
• The MSN sandbox is the easiest of the three to overcome. Simply focusing on good SEO should be the ticket to success on this search eingine.

For further consideration:

In a 2005 interview with Senior Google Engineer Matt Cutts, the following Q and A was produced regarding the Google sandbox:

Q: Does the sandbox exist?
A: Matt said here comes the audience part? How many feel there is a sandbox? How many feel there is no such thing as a sandbox? SEOs normally split down the line. There are some things in the algorithm that may be perceived as a sandbox that doesn’t apply to all industries. He knows it works to keep some spam out.

Wikipedia.org is an amazing site. While they may not have / have had a wealth of information on this topic at the time of me posting this, things may have changed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_Effect

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