What is a Manual Action?

When a website is discovered to violate Google’s webmaster standards, Google will take manual action against it.

These penalties are manually applied by Google’s human reviewers and can significantly impact a website’s visibility in search engine results.

A manual action can result in the demotion or removal of the entire site or specific pages from search results, leading to a dramatic loss of traffic and potential revenue.

How Can You Know If Your Website Has Received A Google Penalty?

To determine if your website has received a manual action, follow these steps:

1. Google Search Console Notification

The most direct way to find out if you have received a manual action is through Google Search Console. Google will notify you via email and within the console itself, detailing the nature of the violation and which pages are affected.

2. Check Search Rankings

A sudden drop in rankings can be a sign of a manual action. If your site’s visibility drastically decreases, it’s worth investigating further.

3. Traffic Analysis

Use tools such as Google Analytics to track traffic trends. A significant decline in organic traffic can indicate a manual penalty.

4. Manual Action Report

In Google Search Console, navigate to the “Security & Manual Actions” section. Here, you can view detailed reports on any manual actions taken against your site.

Common Reasons for Manual Actions

  • Unnatural Links: Links that are deemed manipulative or not organically acquired.
  • Thin Content: Pages lacking with little or no valuable content.
  • User-Generated Spam: Spammy content in forums or comments.
  • Cloaking: Users see content that is different from search engines.
  • Hacked Site: If your site has been compromised and contains malicious content.

How to Recover from a Manual Action?

  • Identify and Fix Issues: Use the information provided in the manual action report to identify the specific issues. Correct these violations by removing spammy links, improving content quality, or securing your site from hackers.
  • Submit a Reconsideration Request: Once you’ve resolved the concerns, send a reconsideration request to Google. Provide detailed explanations of the steps you’ve taken to rectify the problems.
  • Monitor Progress: Continuously monitor your site’s performance and adhere to Google’s guidelines to prevent future penalties.

Preventing Future Manual Actions

  • Regular Audits: Conduct regular SEO audits to ensure your site complies with Google’s guidelines.
  • Quality Content: Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that meets the needs of your audience.
  • Ethical Link Building: Engage in ethical link-building practices and avoid manipulative tactics.
  • Stay Updated: Keep up with changes in Google’s algorithms and guidelines to ensure your site remains compliant.