Beware of Google Manual Action: What Poor Content Providers Need to Know

Google Manual Action

In today’s digital world, where SEO and content marketing drive visibility, high-quality content is no longer optional - it is everything. Maintaining high-quality content is essential. Google continuously updates its algorithms to deliver the best results to users. However, if your website contains poor, thin, or spammy content, you risk facing a Google Manual Action, i.e a penalty that can seriously harm your site’s visibility in search results.

What is a Google Manual Action?

A Google Manual Action is a penalty applied manually by Google’s search quality team when they detect violations of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. Unlike algorithmic penalties, which are automatic, manual actions are triggered by human reviewers who assess your site for practices like:

• Duplicate or thin content 
• Keyword stuffing 
• Cloaking or sneaky redirects 
• Spammy backlinks 
• User-generated spam 

Why Do Manual Actions Matter?

When a manual action is applied, your site or specific pages may be:

• Demoted in search rankings 
• Removed entirely from Google search results 
• Stripped of valuable search traffic, impacting your business growth

This can lead to a significant drop in organic traffic, affecting revenue and brand reputation.

Poor Content: A Major Cause of Manual Action

One of the most common reasons for manual penalties is poor-quality content. This includes:

• Thin Content: Pages with very little or no valuable information, often created just to fill space. 
• Duplicate Content: Content copied from other websites or repeated across many pages on your own site. 
• Automatically Generated Content: Content produced by automated tools without human review or value. 
• Keyword Stuffing: Overloading pages with keywords unnaturally to manipulate rankings. 
• Misleading or Irrelevant Content: Content that doesn’t match user intent or is deceptive.

Google’s goal is to provide users with helpful, trustworthy information. Poor content fails this standard and can trigger manual actions.

How to Avoid Manual Actions for Content Quality

1. Focus on Originality: Create unique, well-researched content that adds value. Avoid copying or lightly modifying existing material. 

2. Provide Depth and Detail: Ensure your content thoroughly covers the topic. Thin, shallow content is a red flag.

3. Optimize User Experience: Write for humans, not just search engines. Use clear language, good formatting, and relevant images. 

4. Avoid Spammy SEO Tactics: Don’t overuse keywords or add hidden text. Stay within Google’s guidelines. 

5. Regularly Audit Your Site: Use tools like Google Search Console to check for manual actions and address any issues promptly. 

6. Disavow Bad Backlinks: If your site has spammy backlinks, disavow them to avoid further penalties.

Read More: Don’t Let Google Kill Your Traffic: Avoid These Common Penalties

Read More: AI vs Human Content: What Google Actually Cares About

Author’s Note: - I, P C Thomas, was unfairly victimized by a former website owner (name withheld), who kept on flooding their platform with unchecked, AI-generated content, written by other team members with little concern for accuracy or originality. As a result, Google imposed a manual action, delisting the site from Search Console due to poor content practices- none of which I endorsed. 

With over 30 years of experience as a creative, research-driven content creator, my journey has always been different. From walking more than 5 kilometers barefoot to school --I used to go on foot, over 6 kilometers without chappals. Sharp metals and hooks turned away from my path, keeping my bare feet from getting damaged. I have carried those formative experiences into every word I write.

I uphold values that AI tools alone cannot replicate: depth, insight, originality, and human touch. ChatGPT may be 2 years old, but my writing with impact takes decades of lived experience. 

I have since moved on, and I now offer high-quality, factual, and value-rich content for individuals and businesses who truly care about credibility and engagement. 

If you are seeking content that connects, ranks, and lasts, I'm here to help you... Write me at: askpcthomas@gmail.com

...What to Do If You Receive a Manual Action – Read my upcoming article, coming soon!

AI vs Human Content: What Google Actually Cares About

Synopsis: Google has clarified that it doesn’t punish content just because it’s AI-generated. What matters most is quality, originality, and usefulness - regardless of whether it's created by a human or a machine. As long as content puts people first and follows Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), it can perform well on Search. However, if AI is used to manipulate rankings or generate spammy content, it violates Google's policies.

How Google Really Views AI-Generated Content on Search

In the evolving world of online content, Google has taken a clear stand on how it handles AI-generated content. Their message? It's not how content is created that matters most; it's what the content offers people.

Quality Over Everything

Whether content is written by a human or generated with the help of AI, Google’s top priority remains the same: high-quality, original content that truly helps users. This principle is based on what they call E-E-A-T: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

This approach isn’t new. A decade ago, there were similar concerns about low-quality content being mass-produced by humans. Instead of banning it, Google focused on rewarding content that actually brought value to readers. That same mindset now applies to AI.

Is AI Content Okay?

Yes, it can be -- as long as it is useful, relavant and original. AI can be a powerful tool for creating helpful content, like live sports updates, weather forecasts, or even detailed transcripts. But if someone uses AI just to try and rank higher in search results with low-quality or spammy content, that breaks Google’s rules.

Google's Spam-Fighting Tech

Google has spent years developing tools like SpamBrain to detect and stop spammy content, whether it’s made by humans or machines. Their focus is not on banning AI, but on ensuring search results stay helpful and trustworthy.

Tips for Creators

If you’re thinking of using AI to create content, here’s what Google recommends:

·         Focus on people-first content. Think about your audience, not the algorithm.

·         Follow the E-E-A-T principles. Share expertise, show real experience, and build trust.

·       Be clear about “Who, How, and Why.” Who created the content? How was it made? Why does it exist? Transparency matters.

To sum up, Google’s approach is clear: tools like AI can support creativity and productivity, but content must still be reliable, original, and genuinely helpful. If you focus on making content for real people (not just for search rankings) you’re already on the right path.

 Read More:  Don’t Let Google Kill Your Traffic: Avoid These Common Penalties