Definition
In SEO, there are two fundamental types of Google penalties: algorithmic penalties and manual actions. Algorithmic penalties are automatically applied by Google's algorithms (Penguin for links, Panda for content, SpamBrain for spam) and generate no notification in Search Console. They manifest as an organic traffic drop coinciding with an algorithm update. Recovery requires fixing the issues and waiting for the next algorithm iteration. Manual actions are applied by a human reviewer on Google's anti-spam team after examining the site. They are notified in Search Console with an explicit message, and their removal requires a reconsideration request. Understanding this distinction is crucial because the recovery strategy differs completely depending on the penalty type.
Key Points
- Algorithmic penalties are automatic and silent; manual actions are notified in Search Console
- Algorithmic recovery requires correction and waiting for the next algorithm update
- Lifting a manual action requires a reconsideration request after fixing violations
- Diagnosing the penalty type is the essential first step of any recovery strategy
Practical Examples
Algorithmic Penguin drop
A site loses 60% of its organic traffic on the exact day of a Penguin update. No Search Console notification. This is an algorithmic link penalty. Recovery requires link cleanup and waiting for the next update.
Manual action for purchased links
A webmaster receives a Search Console message indicating a manual action for artificial links. They can see examples of affected URLs and submit a reconsideration request after correction.
Differential diagnosis
Facing a traffic drop, the SEO first checks for manual actions in Search Console, then compares the drop date with known algorithm updates to determine the penalty type.
Frequently Asked Questions
First check the Manual Actions section in Google Search Console. If no manual action is displayed, compare your traffic drop date with Google's algorithm update calendar. A temporal correlation indicates an algorithmic penalty.
Both can be equally devastating. However, manual actions have the advantage of being explicit (you know exactly what the problem is) and can be lifted via a reconsideration request. Algorithmic penalties are harder to diagnose and recovery depends on the algorithm update cycle.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07