reconsideration request

What is a reconsideration request?

A ‘reconsideration request’ is a formal plea to a search engine, primarily Google, to re-evaluate a website after it has been negatively affected by a manual action.

Manual actions occur when Google’s spam detection algorithms identify a breach of its terms of use. Following the rectification of these issues, a reconsideration request can be filed with Google to reassess the need for the manual action taken and potentially remove penalties imposed on the website.

The use of a reconsideration request is highly contextual and thoroughly dependent on the problem a website is facing. If Google has enforced a manual penalty due to a breach of its Webmaster Quality Guidelines, a reconsideration request is pertinent when such issues are resolved. However, it is not a magic wand that guarantees immediate uplifting of the manual action. Google will examine the website again, and if satisfied, may discontinue the action.

In essence, a reconsideration request is your opportunity to communicate with Google and inform it that you have fixed the flaws that have caused the manual action. It represents a channel for dialogue and a plea for a second evaluation. Employing this tool in the right manner can be highly beneficial for enhancing the credibility and visibility of your website on search engines.

Why is a reconsideration request important?

The impact of a manual action from Google can be particularly hard-hitting for a website, causing it to plummet in search rankings. This can significantly affect your website’s visibility, web traffic, and subsequently, business prospects. Therefore, employing a reconsideration request to effectively navigate through and recover from such penalties holds immense significance.

Importantly, a reconsideration request forms a communication bridge between website owners and Google. It allows website owners to acknowledge their mistakes, rectify them, and inform Google about the changes. Essentially, this communication is critical for reinstating the credibility and trustworthiness of the website in the digital landscape.

Further, a well-written reconsideration request can also help in understanding what caused the penalty. Google’s response to the request may offer insights into the problems that led to the manual action, using which website owners can learn and evade similar issues in the future. Thus, a reconsideration request is not only a tool for recovering from a penalty; it’s also an avenue for learning and iterative improvement.

Types of a reconsideration request

Essentially, there are two types of reconsideration requests, both connected to the different types of penalties Google can inflict on a website. These are partial matches, where a specific section of the website is under manual action, and site-wide matches that affect the entire website.

Therefore, the first type of reconsideration request involves addressing partial matches. Here, the website owner needs to fix the issues related to the specified section and file a request centered around those corrections. These requests are relatively less complex owing to their localized nature. However, they still need a thorough understanding of Google’s guidelines and comprehensive rectifications prior to filing the request.

The second type encompasses site-wide reconsideration requests where the violation impacts the entire website. These requests demand a holistic rectification approach, fixing every instance of the violation throughout the website. The acknowledgment and understanding of errors, extensive corrective actions, and robust documentation form crucial components of such reconsideration requests.

Examples of reconsideration requests

Unnatural links

A website that has received a manual action due to unnatural inbound or outbound links can file a reconsideration request post-rectification. In this letter, the website owner acknowledges the mistake, details the corrective measures taken (like reaching out to site owners for link removal or disavowing links), and promises to uphold Google’s guidelines for future activities

User-generated spam

In cases where a site is penalized due to user-generated spam, the owner can use the reconsideration request to report the cleanup efforts (like moderating comments or setting up a more stringent comment approval process). The aim is to assure Google of the steps implemented to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Thin content

For penalties due to thin or low-quality content on a website, the reconsideration request should emphasize the measures taken to improve content quality (like hiring content professionals, and strict quality control processes) and a sincere commitment to abide by Google’s content guidelines.

Handy tips about reconsideration requests

Acknowledge mistakes

Admitting the mistake that has led to manual action is crucial. A reconsideration request should open by acknowledging the violation and expressing a commitment to correct the issues.

Demonstrate corrective actions

Detailed evidence of the rectifications made must be a fundamental part of the request. Use clear, concise language to explain the changes implemented.

Provide documentation

Support your claims with appropriate documentation. Screenshots, links to the corrected web pages, or email conversations of link removals can significantly aid your reconsideration request.

Conclusion

In the dynamic digital world, occasionally, websites may face penalties due to Google’s manual actions. The reconsideration request forms a critical tool for website owners to recover from such penalties and reinstate their web presence. By demystifying its concept, importance, and types, and offering tips for effective usage, this guide aims to empower SEO professionals, digital marketers, and website owners to better handle these situations.

Moreover, real-world examples of reconsideration requests further help in understanding their practical implementation and relevance. Always keep in mind that Google’s manual actions are an opportunity to learn, and improve, and adhering to its guidelines diligently can help in avoiding them in the first place.

In conclusion, while a reconsideration request is a reactive measure against manual penalties, the key lies in understanding its right application and performing proactive actions that guarantee a website’s compliance with Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.