Term: Google Sandbox in SEO
AKA: The sandbox effect, aging delay
Definition: The Google sandbox refers to a commonly held belief that Google has a filter that places all new websites under restrictions for a certain amount of time to prevent them from ranking in searches. The idea behind the Google sandbox is that newer websites are not as relevant as older sites, and they are also more likely to be spam. For this reason, they are restricted and allowed to mature before being allowed to rank well, much as a young child is placed to play in a sandbox by his or her mother. Although Google will neither confirm nor deny the existence of the sandbox, it is widely accepted as fact.
Miscellaneous Information: Websites can be in the Google sandbox for varying amounts of time, generally six months to a year. It is extremely difficult to avoid being placed in the sandbox as a new domain.

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