Manual Action: A Comprehensive Guide
Definition
What is a Manual Action?
A manual action is a penalty imposed by Google on a website for violating Google’s webmaster guidelines or Search Essentials. This action is taken by human reviewers rather than automated algorithms and can significantly impact a website’s visibility in search results. Manual actions are applied to prevent websites from manipulating search engine rankings using unethical tactics.
How It Works
Types of Manual Actions
Manual actions can be either site-wide or partial. Site-wide actions affect the entire website, resulting in low positions for all keywords, while partial actions target specific pages or sections of the website, causing a drop in visibility for certain keywords.
Detection
To detect manual actions, website owners need to use the Google Search Console tool. Here’s how:
- Sign in to Google Search Console
- Navigate to your property
- Check the “Security & Manual Actions” section
- Open the “Manual actions” report
This report will detail the type of issue found, the affected pages, and provide instructions on how to fix the issue.
Reasons for Manual Actions
Manual actions are applied for various reasons, including:
- Pure spam or user-generated spam
- Unnatural links from or to the site
- Hidden text
- Keyword stuffing
- Thin content
- Cloaking and sneaky redirects
- News and Discover policy violations
Why It Matters
Impact on SEO
Manual actions can severely reduce a website’s visibility in Google search results, leading to a significant drop in organic traffic and potentially revenue. The impact can be drastic, with sites experiencing a median traffic drop of around 95% following a manual action.
User Experience
Manual actions ensure that search results maintain high quality and relevance to users. By penalizing websites that engage in unethical SEO practices, Google protects users from misleading or low-quality content.
Best Practices
Identifying and Fixing Issues
To recover from a manual action:
- Identify the specific issue highlighted in the Google Search Console.
- Follow the instructions provided by Google to fix the issue. For example, disavow unnatural links using the Disavow Tool or remove thin content.
- Ensure all affected pages are corrected before submitting a reconsideration request.
Submitting a Reconsideration Request
After fixing the issues, submit a reconsideration request through Google Search Console. This request should include a detailed explanation of the actions taken and any relevant evidence to support the request.
Preventive Measures
To avoid manual actions, ensure your website complies with Google’s webmaster guidelines. Regularly audit your website for SEO factors that could trigger manual actions, such as unnatural links, thin content, and hidden text. Use tools like Alli AI or other SEO audit tools to identify and resolve potential issues before they result in penalties.
Continuous Monitoring
Regularly check the Google Search Console for any messages about manual actions and address them promptly. Keeping your website compliant with Google’s guidelines is crucial for maintaining good search engine rankings and user experience.
By understanding and adhering to these best practices, website owners can avoid manual actions, recover from them if they occur, and maintain a strong SEO strategy.
Related Terms
- Manual Penalty
- Google Penalty
- Penalty Recovery
- Reconsideration Request
- Unnatural Links
- Disavow File Maintenance
- Spammy Link Penalty
Conclusion
Manual actions are a significant aspect of Google’s efforts to maintain the quality and relevance of its search results. Understanding how these penalties work, the reasons behind them, and the steps necessary for recovery and prevention is crucial for any website owner. By adhering to Google’s webmaster guidelines and regularly auditing your website, you can avoid the severe consequences of manual actions and ensure a healthier, more robust online presence.
