Hi,
I have got a new site listed for about 6 months, for the first 3 months all i had was an holding page and it was doing ok in Google. Then I added a site which I think is well optimized, site map etc. The first thing I have done is to add it to Yahoo directlry then slowly added it to related directories.
The site was doing relatively well in Google but for the past 2 weeks the ranking has dropped, it is still ok if you key in the name of the site but in related searches it has gone down. I take this is the sound box effect!
Does any one know how long this sand box effect last for??

Many thanks

I have launched content rich sites that rank well from week 2 in google without ever hitting the so called sandbox, and there are sites that you have to wait.
Have not been able to figure that one out, but I would suggest to keep on adding more rich content, and taking it easy with the inbound links.

I have noticed the following.
On a brand new site, if you add lots of links from day one, (even quality and good links) I have noticed that the site goes into the sandbox, but discovered by accident that on other new sites that I had forgotten to get links to, started showing up in the results without ever hitting the sandbox. The only link they had, is the link pointing from whois.sc/ from when the domain was available.

Found it very intriguing, so I tried it with another set of domains. Both purchased the exact same day, and did it again. On one I went link hunting, and the other one I didn't touch. Guess who is currently ranking and which one is still not in the google results :p
Just like before, the untouched one is the one showing.

It is safe to count on at least 6 months but most likely a year and perhaps even as long as 18 months.

OK thank you.
I had started submiting to 4 or 5 directories a week, should I stop during this period?

According to me there is nothing called as Sandbox. Actually there is series of filters and if you trigger the red alert for any of them then Google puts you on hold till it is sure that you are not spamming. That's it.

So look growing organically atleast in the first few months and you will not have any Sandbox to stop you.

With regards,
Mandar Thosar

According to me there is nothing called as Sandbox. Actually there is series of filters and if you trigger the red alert for any of them then Google puts you on hold till it is sure that you are not spamming. That's it.

So look growing organically atleast in the first few months and you will not have any Sandbox to stop you.

With regards,
Mandar Thosar
"Sandbox" is the common name for the "filters and trigger" you mention. These can stay in place for up to 18 months. In answer to the question keep building content just as you would if there were no "sandbox"! Good luck.

As far as I can see, the term 'sandbox' is misleading. It should be 'commercial filter'! I manage many sites with new ones being launched weekly. They are picked up by Google quickly and rank well for competitive phrases. However, if you include a keyword that Google sees as 'commercial' it can take months for it to appear for this.
I'm sure it's been said before, but being cynical, I suspect a connection between AdWords revenue and organic results. I have no proof of this of course, but if search was your business with shareholders to please, would you want to give money away?

It may not translate well but, Sandbox is simply a "slang" term for any environment that restricts movement.

The idea is that a new site must prove a level of trust before being allowed to enjoy full freedom in SERPS.

Google's number one priority is and has always been serving the end user first.

I see your point but, there was a "sandbox" before there were shareholders!