"Google Sandbox"

Well, I have recently run across the concept of the "Google Sandbox" in my ongoing attempts to understand just what the hell Google is doing when it comes to small businesses online. While it seems that there is some disagreement as to just what the "Google Sandbox" is or whether or not the "Google Sandbox" actually exists, I can assure you that regardless of what you want to call it or whether or not you believe in it... it absolutely does exist. I know from experience.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this concept known as the "Google Sandbox", it refers to a scenario where a brand new web site with a new domain name either gets indexed by Google really well for a brief period time and then immediately disappears from Google's search results entirely for anywhere from 3 to 9 months, or such a web site doesn't get indexed at all for the same period of time. Lots of web entrepreneurs seem to be suffering from this apparent probationary period. Some web pages seem to occasionally slip through the cracks, but this seems to be the exception to the rule.

Some "experts" seem to feel that the "Sandbox" effect is a myth and that what many of us are actually feeling is an "age-filter" as opposed to a "sandbox". My response to that? In the end, the result is the same. I personally don't care what you want to call it.

Two words for Google: Collateral damage. From what I understand, Google is doing this out of an attempt to crackdown on spammers and their nefarious techniques to abuse the internet. Good for them. I don't like spammers any more than the next guy, but Google's "Sandbox" has a nuclear effect on both the spammers and anyone else standing near by. The problem is that Google seems to be taking out as many legitimate web sites and online businesses as they are spammers... if not more. Google is supposed to be the King of the mighty search algorithm. If that is the case, then why does Google's algorithm feel like more of a Daisy Cutter Bomb than a Cruise Missile? As Google does its very best to take down the spammers, they seem to have absolutely no problem taking out good web sites, small businesses, and hard-working entrepreneurs with them. This is called collateral damage. The REALLY sad part about this is that Google isn't even doing a very good job eliminating the spammers. I find spam in almost every Google search I conduct. Nice work, Google.

Now, what solutions stand before the legitimate online business proprietor? None. So many out there who seem to be in the know advocate one thing: patience. That's great. So now if you are an honest hard working American and hope to start making living online, you simply have to put up with this new probationary period of 3 to 9 months imposed by Google. Google, this is bad for small business, bad for the economy, and ultimately... bad for you. There has to be a better way. Can you not incorporate another set of variables into your algorithm that are more specific that actually take out the bad guys without destroying all of the good guys as well?

That has been and is to this day my biggest issue with Google as of late. They are a bull in a China shop. They have to understand that the quality content that they want on their index takes a lot of hard work on our part. To want to be rewarded for it is completely understandable. To not reward us for our hard work is "biting the hand that feeds you". I know Google doesn't see us as the "hand that feeds" them, but we are. The sooner they realize this the better off we will all be. If they don't figure this out soon, Google is going to start having a very bumpy ride. A bumpy and short ride, to be more accurate.

Google = Self-righteousness

That's right. Google is self-righteous. I can't think of a better way to articulate their apparent attitude toward web designers and small business owners. They claim to do everything they can to provide the most relevant and quality content in their search results... but then completely neglect (if not assault) those of us who provide this quality content. How does this make sense? It would seem like Google would want to partner with content providers, not disenfranchise them. But no, Google treats content providers like opponents instead of partners. How smart is this?

If Google was indeed as infallible as they seem to believe they are, it would seem that they would actually want to reward those of us who do offer quality content and not reward those who don't. Google THINKS it is doing this, but it isn't. Google doesn't really do a good job of this at all. At least, not anymore.

Most people don't have much of a problem with Google simply because they haven't been screwed by them yet. Many people may never be screwed by Google, but many others will be screwed by Google if they haven't been screwed by Google already. What kind of individuals are screwed by Google? People who are trying to have a voice on the internet. Anyone who is attempting to offer information or products on the internet today is faced with pleasing the mighty Google. If you are simply seeking information on the internet, you may never feel the ramifications of Google's self-righteous anger... but that doesn't mean you aren't being screwed too. You see, when you screw the people providing quality information, answers and solutions, the people seeking that information and those answers and solutions are automatically screwed as well. Whether they know it or not, they don't find the quality information they were looking for.

Let's examine a terrific example of Google's self-righteousness. Google recently (May) contacted me about a web site of mine, declaring that I was using a "deceptive" search engine positioning tactic to get better results in their index. I was actually doing what displeased Google so much to make my pages look better, but regardless, in Google's eyes I had sinned. I had broken one of their commandments. The punishment? My web site was kicked off their index for almost two months. They literally shut down my business for two months, not to mention that these two months were my busiest months last year. Let's just say this past summer was a very lean one for me, and I still have not completely recovered. They gave me no warning. They just shut me down for two months. They simply ordered me to make the necessary changes immediately and sent me on my way, never promising to re-include me in the future. I was on my own. Clearly they felt no responsibility toward me whatsoever.

What the hell? Are you kidding me? Let me get this straight. I operate a web site that offers high-quality custom t-shirts, and I simply wanted to get my product in front of individuals who were looking for them and present them on attractive pages. Am I missing something? I am an evil person who deserves to have their business shut down for two months during their busy season? They decided to punish me, someone who is offering quality content and products on my web site, for a "technique" I was using to make my pages simply look cleaner and more attractive? That's great. No, I mean it. Wow...

Starting to see how Google is coming off as some sort of deity in their own eyes? See how they have in a way created their own moral code... a sort of 10 commandments of their own? (I don't actually know how many commandments are in their moral code, but you get the point) See how if you "violate" this code they are perfectly comfortable in wielding their power to "damn" your business and your income? Trust me, when Google strikes your business down for a few months and kills your income, it feels like a God-sent lightning bolt. I am not comfortable with anyone (besides the market itself, of course) having this much power over my business or my personal revenue... or even worse, our economy! Are you comfortable with this? You shouldn't be.

Now, since I was using Google to market the products on my web site, it only stood to reason that I would also use Google to search for answers and solutions myself. I couldn't even estimate how many times I have encountered the famouse bait-and-switch pages (searching for one thing and... finding quite another) or pages with plain old crap information on them. I'm sure ou know the pages I'm talking about. No, seriously Google... nice work. I mean it. What happened to the "quality content" and "quality and relevent search results" that they claim is the incitement of their blundering discrimination toward web page content? If they are so particular about the quality of the content on their index and so strict about who does and doesn't get included on that index of theirs... then how do these worthless pages with little or no content on them still turn up in Google's search results all the time? These pages get included in their search results, but my straightforward pages with quality content and products don't? Basically... this means their current system isn't working well at all.

I have read countless accounts relating a scenario similar to my experience. I will probably post more examples at another date. We web designers and small business owners need to rally together and do something about this. We can't continue to give Google this kind of power.

From what I have read on this subject, most individuals who end up on the receiving end of Google's wrath have no idea that they are doing anything "wrong" until it's too late. Can't Google come up with a system that is more accommodating to web site designers and small business owners? Can't we work together, search engines and content providers, to create a more user-friendly (when I refer to "users", I am referring to both searchers AND content providers) environment and experience? Google is taking out a lot of good businesses and content providers with their current hatchet job of "content management". Sure, there are soulless scum bags who do abuse the search engines with a variety of tactics that should be deemed unethical, but Google is painting with a pretty broad brush at the moment creating some pretty heavy collateral damage. Their current execution now feels more like a blind-folded crackhead with the stick at a birthday party with a pinata.

I would ask, "Google, who made you god?", but I already know the answer: we did. It's time to do something about the mess we created.

Why I hate Google so much:

Ok, so why do I dislike Google so much? I'll tell you. You see, the digital age of the Internet has brought with it many opportunities for people to find a life of freedom from a conventional 9-5 job with a boss and a commute. Not only does the Internet give us a place to find answers and solutions quickly from the comfort of our own homes, but people are starting to realize the real potential of making a good living on the Internet. It is really wonderful. Or at least it would be if it wasn't for Google.

Here's where my trouble with Google begins. I, like many others on the Internet, do my best to offer quality information and products on the Internet. This is exactly what Google claims to reward with placement on their index. The trouble is that Google doesn't seem to be living up to their end of the bargain. Google makes it harder and harder everyday for people like us to make a living online. Why? What is the point? Google makes web designers and online entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes jump through all kinds of hoops to get their products listed in their index... and make absolutely no promise to EVER include them. Amazingly, many web entrepreneurs and "SEO's" seem to simply accept this. What the hell?

Google misunderstands terribly who their customers are exactly and mistreats a huge percentage of them terribly. How? They seem to think that the only ones that matter and the only people they have any kind of obligation to are those people who are looking for something online. SCREW those people who actually OFFER what those people are looking for! How does this make any sense at all? Not only that, but isn't it likely that those of us who are using the Internet to sell things might also be using the Internet to look for and buy things as well?

More and more people everyday are trying to make a living with an Internet based business. Google seems to not care about these individuals. Google seems to place very little value on small businesses. They seem to have a very shortsighted attitude toward those of us who are trying to offer quality information and products on the Internet. I read stories all of the time about Google shutting down a web site... and therefore a business... for a few months. This is not cool.

I don't think any other company should have the power to shut down my business with the snap of their fingers. That is bull shit. Google seems to do this on a whim without any hesitation. They think that they have no responsibility toward us at all. What if UPS just decided they didn't like what your company sold? Can they just decide not to deliver your packages for a month or two? Do you realize how much trouble they would be in if they did that?

Google thinks it is God. Think that is a bit strong? Well, consider this: Google has it's own set of commandments. "Thou shalt not put text on your web page that is a similar color to the page's background!" That's just one example. And if you violate this commandment? They shut you down. If that isn't an example of being punished for being a "sinner", then I don't know what is.

If that isn't enough, Google claims that their "discrimination" of certain web pages is based on quality content. Really? If that is so, how am I constantly finding pages on Google with my exact search phrase as a heading, but no content besides a page of links redirecting me toward unrelated items? Nice work, Google.

Google could correct this problem if they simple took a more accommodating attitude toward people who are providing answers and solutions on the Internet. They could be grateful that we are providing the content that their customers are looking for. They could stop treating us like pond scum and try to facilitate a partnership between the search engines and web site creators to make the Internet a better place with more quality information. They could begin by acknowledging that we are a very important part of what they do. They could remember that the quality content that they point their customers to comes from US, not them. They need us as much or more than we need them.

One last thing. If you read this and are thinking to yourself, "Google AdWords!"... I am going to punch you in the face. If that is your attitude, then why don't we just charge everyone using Google to find something on the Internet $.25 a search. Hmmm??? Didn't think so.

Change soon, Google, or you will be replaced.

Just getting started...

Google is certainly the most powerful search engine today. That should be clear to most of us by now. But Google being this powerful isn't really an entirely good thing. There are definitely a few drawbacks about this for some of us in my opinion. Here's why:

You see, Google is in the business of giving their customers a quality product. Good for them. This is the part that they have right. They seem to believe, however, that their customers are only the people using the internet to find information, products, services... answers and solutions. This is partially true, but they seem to be missing a big part of this equation: the sources of these answers and solutions. Where would they be without those sources of information?

I feel strongly that Google spends so much of its energy and resources on meeting the needs of the individuals seeking information, but they severly neglect the needs of those of us who offer this information. I have often felt like Google's attitude toward me and people like me, individuals who supply quality information and products on the internet, has been one of dismissal and neglect. Google has made it clear to brokers of online information that they owe us absolutely nothing. Really? Is that so? In fact, Google seems to perceive our relationship with them as a purely one-sided one. They seem to see is as one of purely doing us a gigantic favor by including our content in their search index. Is that right? It's almost as though they see us as one step above a parasite. This is especially true if you are trying to sell something on your web pages. This variable might actually put you a step below a parasite in Google's view. This does not bode well with me at all.

I think most of us who put quality information and products on the internet realize it is a lot of work to do this. WE are the ones doing Google a favor, not the other way around. I think it is perfectly natural to want to do everything we can to get our information and products in front of as many eyes as possible after we do all of that hard work of creating our information and products. Isn't that a reasonable hope? Isn't that what a free market and capitalism are all about? I think so too. If that is indeed the case, then why is it that if you try to get your pages to turn up prominently on Google's index that you are automatically a slimeball? Why is it that trying to draw traffic to your web site and the information or products you offer on your web site... why is that such an unethical goal? Why does Google even punish people for taking such steps to do draw traffic to their site? They don't seem to share our capitalistic outlook on the internet... even though they built their "empire" on it. They seem to have lost site of that.

Who made Google "God" of the internet anyway? Not me. How did they get to determine what is and isn't "moral" when it comes to putting information on the internet? They claim that their standards evolved from working to separate good information from bad information, but how come I still find crap information in Google's search results everyday? Not only that, but this, coming from the company who is NOT willing to turn over anonymous information about searches for child porn to the federal government so we can protect our children from child predators, but who is perfectly willing to censor information deemed distasteful to the Chinese governent (it's called the truth, but unfortunately it seems to subvert the Chinese government's agenda) in order to get Chinese yuan. We want this company dictating morals? Not me.

Here is the reason why I feel this way: Without people like me who put quality information and products on the internet, Google would have nothing to point their searchers to. Pretty simple. Google actually supplies almost no information on the internet themselves. WE do. I personally think Google should start to realize this and start treating us like partners, not parasites. The arrogance needs to stop, lest the day a newer and improved "NOT-Google" steps to the plate, and we all jump ship. I don't think Google thinks this is realistic possibility, but it is. It could happen tomorrow.

Some web designers/search engine optimizers amazingly seem to have just accepted this dynamic. What zombies. They seem to be OK with Google's arrogant attitude toward us. I have even seen holier-than-thou seo's actually SCOLD other seos and web designers for not accepting this Google imposed submissive role, chiding them with statements like, "You need to remember that Google doesn't own you a darn thing." In my opinion, this is pretty unbelieveable. Really? They don't owe me a darn thing? Where are they getting the quality content that they need to send their searchers to? Isn't coming from individuals just like me? God forbid we displease the mighty Google!

Google is a ticking time bomb, in my opinion. I could be wrong, but I think they are setting themselves up to sabotage themselves. It's their arrogance that is the problem. They are the mighty search engine as of right now, but their attitude is their problem. I don't necessarily wish this for them, but if their attitude doesn't change...