randle - 8:34 pm on Oct 1, 2004 (gmt 0)

It’s a total mystery for us. Some say they have gotten by this thing but boy they are in the minority that’s for sure. We do ok in this business and Google has been a big part of that so I’m not going to whine. But this sandbox is really beginning to weigh on our minds. We have launched four new sites since March, unique subjects, and unique content, slow natural link building, submitted to all the usual places, basic on page seo, ect, ect. All the stuff we have been doing that has brought good results.

However, ever since March of 2004 these sites just won’t punch through for any meaningful terms. There you see them using the various commands, well placed. The bottom line is they just don’t make us any money; we are just unable to drive the necessary traffic to convert. It’s not even close.

All of the good thoughts put forth by everyone are interesting and maybe the truth lies in the somewhere. But the problem I am having is that for all practical purposes no one has ever gotten out of this thing. Some claim they have and if that’s true my hats off to them. But for the great majority we are stuck going on seven months now. It’s inconceivable to me you could go a year not being able to monetize a site organically. But that time frame is not that far off.

Keep the thoughts coming, I for one appreciate each and every one.