Google has recently filed for patents on several methods used in its ranking algorithm. These patents confirm the existance of the Google Sandbox.
The Sandbox is an effect that many search engine optimizers have observed. When a new site is submitted to Google, it will position itself well for a week or so, then drop dramatically or even disappear for 6-8 months. In effect, Google has put it in a Sandbox area where it can play with it. This is also called an aging filter. Google says this is done to provide stability in the search results, preventing short-term mom & pop sites from dominating the results. More realistically, however, it prevents SEOs from using web rings and other related tricks to force top listings.
For more information see the April, 2005 issue of Alexandria newsletter at: http://www.axandra.com/news/index.htm#include
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