Make the Google Sandbox Your Playground

Much as been said about the so-called “Google Sandbox” which penalizes newer websites by putting them in a sort of holding tank for several months until they can prove they are a legitimate business and not just some fly-by-night operation.

This has caused great frustration for the legitimate businesses who have been penalized along with the spammers in the Boot Camp model of filtration. Only those with enough will, will endure the months of eating and playing in isolation, away from the real soldiers. Only those with enough intestinal fortitude will survive the Sandbox and the assumption is that the spammers do not have this kind of fortitude.

On some of the message boards there has been talk of circumventing the Sandbox by placing several repetitions of nonsense words such as –asdf on one’s website or repeating the made up word –dfgsdfgsdfg seven times as this is supposed to negate a Google filter and serve as a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. While it may be worth an experiment, most likely Google has shut down this loophole by now.

It is unfortunate that the actions of a few make the majority suffer the consequences. There is no good way to tell the spammers from the legitimate businesses as they tend to infiltrate and integrate with the rest of the crowd. Most likely, the neighbor who just moved in across the street and smiles and waves at you from their mailbox is a spammer. Their kids play at your kids’s school and they go to your church.

Only time will tell and the waiting game must be played. So, as you wait to be released, make the Sandbox your playground. Build castles, make friends, work in cooperation with others and say goodbye when its your turn to leave. Also, have empathy for those who are not able to leave yet.