Chapter 7: Google Penalties - What They Are and How They Work
A manual action Google penalty occurs when a Google employee manually reviews your website and finds it does not comply with quality guidelines. These penalties are usually more severe and damaging, but there is a clear process to recover from them.
If you receive a manual action penalty, you will be notified through Google Search Console and should see a notice that explains what happened. Examples of a manual action penalty include user-generated spam, unnatural links, spam links, thin content, and more.
It’s important to note that a manual penalty from Google is a serious issue for website owners because it can significantly impact your website's traffic and visibility in search results. Here's why it's a cause for concern:
Dramatic traffic loss. Manual penalties often result in a sharp decline in website traffic. Since most users rely on search engines to find information, being penalized can mean a significant drop in visitors and potential customers.
De-indexed tages or entire site. In severe cases, Google may remove penalized pages or even your entire website from their search index. This essentially makes your website invisible to users searching for relevant terms, causing a complete traffic blackout.
Recovery can be difficult. The process of recovering from a manual penalty can be complex and time-consuming. It involves identifying the violation, fixing the issue, and then requesting a review from Google. There's no guarantee of how long it will take for Google to re-evaluate your website, and it may take months to regain your lost rankings.
Negative impact on brand reputation. A Google penalty can damage your website's reputation and credibility. If potential customers discover a penalty, they might associate your brand with spammy practices or low-quality content.
Here's a quick breakdown of the different types of manual penalties and their potential consequences:
Unnatural links. This penalty targets websites that engage in link-building schemes or acquire low-quality backlinks. The penalty can range from a partial loss of ranking to de-indexing.
Thin content. Websites with minimal or low-quality content that doesn't provide value to users can be penalized. This might result in lower rankings or de-indexing of specific pages.
Spammy tactics. Techniques like keyword stuffing, cloaking, or deceptive redirects can trigger a penalty. The consequences can vary depending on the severity of the offense.
Google states that prevention is key. So, the best way to avoid the headaches of a manual penalty is to prioritize high-quality content, adhere to Google's Webmaster Guidelines, and build backlinks naturally. While SEO strategies can evolve, focusing on user experience and providing valuable content remains the foundation of a healthy website from a search engine's perspective.