Manual Action in Search Console How to Identify and Resolve It Fast

Understanding Manual Actions

Manual actions in Google Search Console (GSC) are penalties imposed on websites when Google’s quality reviewers find violations of its Webmaster Guidelines. These actions can dramatically impact your website’s search engine rankings, frustrating website owners who rely on organic traffic. The existence of a manual action typically means that the content or links of your website have been deemed to violate Google’s standards, necessitating immediate attention.

Types of Manual Actions

1. Spammy Content: This includes content that is generated primarily for search engines rather than users. Examples include doorway pages, thin content, and duplicative articles.

2. Unnatural Links: This category encompasses websites that have engaged in manipulative linking practices, whether through paid links or link schemes.

3. User-Generated Spam: Sometimes, user-generated content (like blog comments) can also lead to manual actions if they are spammy or deceptive.

4. Cloaking: This involves showing different content to users and search engine crawlers, creating a mismatch that leads to confusion and penalties.

5. Hacked Site: If a site has been compromised, resulting in harmful content or links appearing on it, Google may impose a manual action to protect users.

Identifying a Manual Action

The first step in resolving a manual action is to identify whether your site has one and, if so, what kind. Google Search Console is a vital tool for this process. Here are the steps to identify manual actions:

1. Access Google Search Console: If you haven’t done so already, set up and verify your ownership of the website in Google Search Console.

2. Navigate to the Manual Actions Report:

   • Log in to GSC and expand the "Security & Manual Actions" section in the left-side menu.
   • Click on "Manual actions." You will see if any manual action has been applied to your site.

3. Review the Details: If there is a manual action listed, Google will provide specifics about the nature of the action and the affected pages. This information is critical in understanding the steps you need to take for remediation.

4. Check Other Reports: It’s also beneficial to explore other reports within GSC, such as the Coverage report, to identify any potential issues with indexation that could relate to the manual action.

Diagnosing the Issue

Once you identify the manual action, it’s time to diagnose the root cause. Here are some common approaches to uncovering issues:

1. Content Quality Review: Examine the content on your site for quality and relevancy. Look for thin content pages, duplicate content, and poorly written articles.

2. Link Profile Assessment: Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to examine your backlink profile. Look for unnatural links, such as those from low-quality or spammy sites.

3. User-Generated Content Inspection: For sites with forums or comment sections, review the user-generated content. Ensure that it’s moderated and doesn’t contain spam.

4. Cloaking Checks: Ensure there are no discrepancies in what search engines and users see. Utilize tools like Google’s Fetch as Google to diagnose potential cloaking issues.

5. Site Security Review: If a hacking incident is suspected, thoroughly examine your site for malicious content, backdoors, and any unauthorized access.

Resolving Manual Actions

To lift a manual action, you’ll need to take specific steps tailored to the type of violation you’re facing. Here’s how to address common manual actions effectively:

1. Fix Spammy Content:

   • Identify and Remove: Remove or improve low-quality content. Use Google’s guidelines to filter out articles that do not add value.
   • Enhance Existing Content: Sometimes, refreshing thin content and providing additional value can help. Aim for comprehensive and user-focused articles.

2. Disavow Unnatural Links:

   • Clean Up Backlinks: Reach out to webmasters of sites linking to you, requesting the removal of any harmful links.
   • Disavow Links: If link removal is impossible, create a disavow file listing these URLs and submit it to Google through the Disavow Links Tool in GSC.

3. Address User-Generated Spam:

   • Improve Moderation: Implement stricter moderation policies to prevent spammy comments.
   • Delete Spam: Regularly check and remove any spammy or harmful user-generated content.

4. Eliminate Cloaking:

   • Ensure Consistency: Make sure your content is consistent for both users and search engines. No hidden text or links should exist.

5. Resolve Hacking Issues:

   • Secure Your Site: Strengthen your website security with updates, strong passwords, and security plugins.
   • Clean Up the Site: Remove any unauthorized content and backdoors, plus ensure that your site is safe for users.

Requesting a Review

After you’ve made the necessary changes, you’ll need to request a reconsideration review to ask Google to lift the manual action. Follow these steps:

1. Document Your Changes: Provide a comprehensive report detailing the actions you’ve taken to comply with Google’s guidelines. This could include links to cleaned-up pages, screenshots, and any evidence of security enhancements.

2. Submit a Reconsideration Request:

   • In the Manual Actions section of GSC, you’ll find an option to request a review.
   • Fill out the form with detailed information about the adjustments made and any relevant context.

3. Be Patient: After submitting the reconsideration request, it can take several days to weeks for Google to review your site and respond. Continue monitoring your site and GSC for updates.

Best Practices to Avoid Manual Actions in the Future

1. Regular Content Audits: Employ a consistent schedule for auditing content on your site. Regularly ensure that your content adheres to Google’s quality guidelines.

2. Quality Link Building: Focus on earning high-quality backlinks rather than engaging in quick-fix link schemes. Building genuine relationships within your industry is key to attracting valuable links.

3. User Engagement: Encourage constructive user interaction on your website. This can help build a community and make the content more trustworthy, reducing the chances of spammy submissions.

4. Stay Updated on Guidelines: Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and algorithm updates frequently change. Keep yourself informed about these updates to ensure ongoing compliance.

5. Use Monitoring Tools: Tools like Google Analytics and various SEO toolkits can help you monitor your site’s performance and signals that may indicate future issues.

By being vigilant, maintaining quality at the core of your website’s strategy, and responding swiftly to any potential penalties, you can effectively navigate the challenges posed by manual actions and safeguard your site’s standing in search results.