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!
