pinkfluufybunny, I think we have another disagreement on the way
In good humour, though, links aside, the more I read of what you have to say, the more I respect it - you definitely have a true understanding of what you're talking about, even if I disagree with some of it.
So, I think the sandbox does exist - I've experienced it with a site that I
knew should rank and didn't. It's now number one for the phrase:
used cars
on Google UK. (Before I left, I got them to number 3, not top slot. But they were in for three weeks, then out except for long tail for six months, there was a bit of a datacenter dance for three weeks, then they were where I
knew they should be.).
This is a different type of situation with the guy who started the thread, though the longtail aspect is the same, and if you compare this search (where he is number one):
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=
with this search:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=
where he isn't in top 100, how else can you explain it? I'm not claiming to know what the sandbox is, but I know when I see it in action. I'd love to hear another explanation.