{"id":7853,"date":"2022-01-30T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/30\/are-manual-actions-a-google-ranking-factor\/"},"modified":"2022-01-30T16:00:05","modified_gmt":"2022-01-30T16:00:05","slug":"are-manual-actions-a-google-ranking-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/01\/30\/are-manual-actions-a-google-ranking-factor\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Manual Actions a Google Ranking Factor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A manual action can have a profound impact on a website\u2019s appearance in Google.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s capable of demoting a website\u2019s content in search results and removing content from the search index altogether.<\/p>\n

Does that make manual actions a ranking factor?<\/p>\n

No, not exactly.<\/p>\n

A ranking factor is a signal Google uses to assess where and how a webpage should rank in search results.<\/p>\n

These signals are picked up on through Google\u2019s regular crawling<\/a> of the web.<\/p>\n

A manual action doesn\u2019t fit that definition, because it\u2019s something Google implements on its own.<\/p>\n

It may be fair to say a manual action overrides all other ranking factors, as it can drop a website off the face of Google in an instant.<\/p>\n

Google\u2019s algorithms automatically filter out content that could cause problems in search results.<\/p>\n

Every now and then, Google encounters an issue where it has to manually step in and take urgent action.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s more about manual actions and how they impact search rankings.\n<\/p>\n

The Claim: Manual Actions Are A Ranking Factor<\/h2>\n

Manual actions get lumped into the ranking factors category because the action refers to adjusting a website\u2019s visibility in search results.<\/p>\n

To be more specific, the action involves demoting or removing a site or specific pages from Google Search.<\/p>\n

Calling a manual action a \u201cranking factor\u201d is misleading as it creates the impression that it\u2019s part of or at least considered by the algorithm, which it absolutely isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

In fact, it\u2019s the most serious penalty Google is able to issue to websites.<\/p>\n

The next section has more details on the types of offenses that would cause Google to manually take action, which can help you avoid getting one of your own.<\/p>\n

Manual Actions Are A Penalty, Not A Ranking Factor<\/h2>\n

Google has clear documentation<\/a> on what manual actions are, how to know if your site has been impacted by one, and how to recover after one has been issued.<\/p>\n

From the document:<\/p>\n

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\u201cGoogle issues a manual action against a site when a human reviewer at Google has determined that pages on the site are not compliant with Google\u2019s webmaster quality guidelines. Most manual actions address attempts to manipulate our search index.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In addition to taking action against sites for manipulative SEO<\/a> tactics, Google reserves the right to remove content if required to by law.<\/p>\n

This is all explained in detail in a video with former Googler Matt Cutts<\/a> which is as relevant today as it was when first published in 2012.<\/p>\n

Types Of Manual Actions<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s a list of violations that will result in Google applying a manual action.<\/p>\n