Definition
A Google penalty is a punitive measure taken by the search engine when it detects that a site violates its webmaster guidelines. It can be algorithmic, automatically triggered by updates like Penguin or Panda, or manual, imposed by a human Google evaluator. Consequences range from a simple loss of positions on certain keywords to complete removal of the site from search results. To lift a manual penalty, you must correct the identified problems and then submit a reconsideration request via Google Search Console.
Key Points
- Manual penalties are flagged in Google Search Console
- Algorithmic penalties generate no notification
- Lifting a penalty requires corrective actions followed by a reconsideration request
Practical Examples
Manual penalty for artificial links
An e-commerce site receives a notification in Search Console indicating unnatural inbound links. Its organic traffic drops 80% overnight.
Panda algorithmic penalty
A blog publishing duplicate and low-quality content gradually loses its positions after a Panda algorithm update, without any explicit notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
For manual penalties, check the Manual Actions section of Google Search Console. For algorithmic penalties, monitor sudden traffic drops coinciding with known Google algorithm updates.
A reconsideration request for a manual penalty typically takes 2-6 weeks. For an algorithmic penalty, you must wait for the next update of the relevant algorithm, which can take several months.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07