Manual Action

What is a Manual Action?

A manual action (or manual penalty) is a penalty applied to a website by a Google human reviewer when the site is found to be violating Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. This action can lead to a website being demoted in search results or even removed entirely from Google’s index for specific violations. Manual actions are distinct from algorithmic penalties, which are automatically applied by Google’s search algorithms without human intervention.

Types of Manual Actions

Manual actions can be categorized into several types, depending on the nature of the violation:

1. Spammy Structured Data:

• Description: Structured data that is misleading, spammy, or does not accurately represent the content of the page.
• Example: Using structured data markup to artificially inflate search engine visibility for products that do not exist.

1. User-Generated Spam:

• Description: Spammy or low-quality content created by users on your site.
• Example: Comment spam or forum posts that are low-quality and irrelevant.

1. Thin Content with Little or No Original Value:

• Description: Pages that have little or no original content and provide minimal value to users.
• Example: Pages with duplicate content or content scraped from other sites.

1. Cloaking and Sneaky Redirects:

• Description: Techniques used to show different content to search engines compared to what is shown to users or using redirects to manipulate rankings.
• Example: Redirecting users to different content based on their geographic location or device.

1. Unnatural Links:

• Description: Manipulative link schemes intended to boost a site’s ranking.
• Example: Buying links or participating in link exchange schemes.

1. Pure Spam:

• Description: Websites that use aggressive and deceptive tactics to manipulate search rankings.
• Example: Sites with irrelevant or keyword-stuffed content, hidden text, or excessive ads.

1. Hacked Site:

• Description: Sites that have been compromised and used to serve malicious content or spam.
• Example: A website hacked to include hidden spammy links or malware.

How to Check for Manual Actions

1. Google Search Console:

• Steps: Log into Google Search Console and navigate to the Security & Manual Actions section. Click on Manual Actions to see if any penalties have been applied to your site.
• What You’ll See: If a manual action is applied, you’ll see details about the issue and any affected pages.

1. Email Notifications:

• Description: Google may also send email notifications about manual actions applied to your site. Check the email associated with your Google Search Console account for any notifications.

Steps to Resolve a Manual Action

1. Identify the Issue:

• Review Guidelines: Understand which Google Webmaster Guidelines have been violated.
• Conduct an Audit: Perform a thorough audit of your site to identify and address the issues.

1. Fix the Problem:

• Address Violations: Implement necessary changes to correct the issues. For instance, remove spammy content, disavow bad backlinks, or clean up user-generated spam.
• Enhance Quality: Ensure that your site adheres to Google’s guidelines and provides high-quality, relevant content.

1. Submit a Reconsideration Request:

• How to Submit: Go to Google Search Console, navigate to the Security & Manual Actions section, and select Manual Actions. Click on Request Review and provide a detailed explanation of the issues fixed and the steps taken to prevent future problems.
• What to Include: Include a thorough explanation of what was wrong, how it was fixed, and what measures are in place to prevent recurrence.

1. Monitor the Site:

• Track Recovery: After submitting the reconsideration request, monitor your site’s status in Google Search Console. It can take some time for Google to review and respond.
• Ongoing Compliance: Ensure ongoing adherence to Google’s guidelines to avoid future penalties.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Manual Action?

• Response Time: The review process can take a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the issue and the responsiveness of the site owner.
• Recovery Time: Once the manual action is lifted, it may take additional time for your site’s rankings and traffic to recover fully.

Can a Manual Action Affect Specific Pages Only?

• Yes: A manual action can be applied to specific pages or sections of a site rather than the entire site. However, if the issue is pervasive, it might affect the whole site.

What if My Reconsideration Request is Rejected?

• Reevaluation: If your reconsideration request is rejected, carefully review the feedback provided, address the remaining issues, and submit a new reconsideration request.

Summary

A manual action is a serious issue that requires prompt attention and corrective action. By understanding the nature of the manual action and following the appropriate steps to resolve it, you can work to restore your site’s standing in Google search results and ensure future compliance with search engine guidelines.