The Google Sandbox effect is a theory that was formulated by veteran search engine marketers. Most online marketers believe that Google has an “inbox” where it stores newly registered domains. These domains are waiting for Google to check if they are legitimate and if their content is relevant to users—a measure that Google takes to make sure that they don’t include spam sites in their index.
Google Sandbox only affects new domains. This means that the other pages in your website that Google has already approved and indexed won’t be included in the waiting list, even if you add new pages to your website.
Below are 4 tips to help keep your new web pages away from Google’s Sandbox.
1. Go for niche keywords
Optimizing your web page content for non-generic keywords could immediately help you rank high, thus encouraging more traffic. The reason behind this is that optimizing for niche keywords attracts your target market, who search with particular terms and jargon in mind. Going for niche keywords will set you apart from your competitors who are most likely using generic or category keywords.
Consistently optimizing future web page contents with niche keywords will allow you to achieve and maintain good search engine ranking.
2. Go for a niche domain name
Choosing your pages’ domain names is as important as churning out good content. A good domain name is something that users can immediately associate with your brand or product, but take care not to use generic or category words.
Going for a niche domain name will allow Google to see the value and the uniqueness of your web pages because Google’s index won’t have 10 other pages or websites that resemble yours.
3. Go explore other SEM techniques—don’t wait for Google
Google isn’t the only search engine around. There are 2 other search engines that make up the Big 3: Yahoo and MSN. While working (or waiting) for Google, you can simultaneously work on Yahoo and MSN to list your website.
Moreover, you can also maximize niche blogs and forums by talking about your website or just by announcing that you’re coming up with a new web page. This leads us to the next tip.
4. Build inbound links
Participating in relevant forum discussions and commenting on blogs can help build your credibility. When you’re sure that you’ve earned enough credibility, and if the blog or forum rules allow you to do so, you can begin including links of your new web page in your discussions. Doing so encourages others to visit your website to learn more about the information you’ve just shared with them.
Closer to home, you can build your internal network of links by immediately updating your sitemap whenever you come out with a new web page. It is also recommended that you make use of your contents and create relevant text links that will lead users to your new web page.
Even if your new web page finds itself in Google Sandbox, the numerous quality links that you’ve spread all over the Internet will make Google notice. This could speed up the approval and indexing process, and get you more traffic.