Google “sandbox” is a term webmaster use to describe Google punishment. Many web marketers are skeptical about “sandbox” and Google itself denies form of punishment called “sandbox”. It still creates a lot of discussions in SEO forums and webmaster communities to explain website partial removal from Google index or sudden drop in rankings for specific keywords especially when site was over-optimized or “black hat” SEO applied.

Signs which tell that website was placed in Google”sandbox”:

If you open a new website and become build links very aggressive especially for popular keywords you site can appear on Google for a little while but suddenly loose all positions for all keywords except when you type full domain name. It happens when webmaster submit site in thousands directories overnight, use submission software, build links with the same anchor over and over again, spam in forums or blogs.

Google can also move site to “sandbox” if you use link farms or build links from fake blogs / sites hosted by free hosting providers. Example: many blogs on Blogger which was created to link your new website.

Unlimited link exchange or link buying process could lead to “sandbox” punishments as well especially if link building software or networks were involved.
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