We all know that Google is a giant and powerful search engine that helps us find the information we need quickly and easily.
But Google is not just a search engine, but a complex ecosystem governed by its own complex algorithms and rules. And like any other ecosystem, there are rules in this ecosystem that must be followed.
So, suppose we break Google’s rules, what happens? The answer is simple: Google fine or penalty .
You may have heard the term Google penalty , but you don’t know exactly what it is and how it affects your website.
In this article, I am going to share with you everything you need to know about the Google penalty in a simple and friendly language.
In today’s digital world, every business relies on Google search engine to be seen. But in order to maintain the quality of the search results and ensure the provision of useful and valid information, Google has considered a mechanism called a penalty.
What is the Google penalty?
In simple words, Google penalty is the punishment that Google applies to websites that violate its rules and principles.
This punishment can be in the form of a reduction in the ranking in the search results, removal from the results list, or even a complete blocking of the website.
Imagine that you have an online store and to attract more customers, you start using unethical methods like building spam links or manipulating search results.
Google recognizes these activities and by applying a penalty, lowers your site’s rank in the search results. As a result, fewer customers visit your site and your business suffers.
Here you can read a comprehensive article under the title of the reason why the site was removed from Google .
Types of Google fines
Google fines are divided into two general categories:
1. Manual Penalties
These types of penalties are applied manually by Google’s search quality team.
If Google administrators determine that a website is using deceptive or unauthorized techniques, they may penalize that website.
These penalties are usually caused by specific violations such as buying links , duplicate content, or using unnatural keywords.
2. Algorithmic Penalties
These types of fines are applied automatically and based on Google’s algorithms.
Every time Google updates its search algorithms, websites that don’t meet the new standards may be automatically demoted.
One of the most famous penalty algorithms is the “Penguin” algorithm, which was created to identify and combat unnatural links.
The main reasons for the Google penalty
There are several reasons for Google to impose a penalty. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Low-quality or copied content: Using duplicate, copied or generally low-quality content can result in a Google penalty.
- Keyword Stuffing: Repeating too many keywords in the text, title and meta description is a sign of trying to trick Google and can result in a penalty.
- Improper site structure: use of broken links, low site loading speed, lack of site map, etc. can be a sign of an unprofessional site for Google and result in fines.
- Poor quality links or spam: Buying links, using invalid links, and spamming are illegal ways to increase rankings that can result in fines.
- Using Black Hat SEO techniques: Using any illegal and deceptive techniques to increase ranking can result in a Google penalty.
- Poor user experience : Websites that do not have a good user experience may experience a drop in rankings.
Google penalty marks
How do we know that our website has been penalized? There are several signs that can indicate that Google is penalizing your website:
- A sudden drop in organic traffic: If you notice that your website’s organic traffic has suddenly dropped for no apparent reason, you may be penalized.
- Decreased ranking in search results: If your website’s ranking in search results for keywords related to your business has decreased, this could indicate a penalty.
- Removal from the search results list: In extreme cases, Google may completely remove your website from the search results list.
- Warning from Google Search Console: Google Search Console is a tool that helps you monitor the status of your website in Google. If Google notices that your website is violating the rules, it may send you a warning in Search Console.
- Reduce visits to specific pages: Sometimes Google’s penalty only affects certain pages of your website. For example, the traffic of a particular page may drop suddenly.
- Lower ranking in SERPs for main keywords
- No display in the image search section
- No display on Google Maps
- Not showing up in local search results
How to avoid Google penalty?
The best way to avoid a Google fine is to follow its rules and principles. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting penalized by Google:
- Produce quality and original content: Provide unique content, accurate and useful information.
- Basic use of keywords: Use related keywords naturally and sensibly in the text.
- Mobile Site Optimization: Optimize your site for display on smartphones and tablets.
- Check and fix technical problems: fix broken links, increase site loading speed and create sitemap.
- Creating quality backlinks: Use natural and relevant links to your website.
- Compliance with Google guidelines: Be aware of all Google rules and guidelines and follow them carefully.
If your site is fined
- Identify the cause of the penalty: With the help of Google tools such as Google Search Console, you must identify the cause of the penalty.
- Fix: Fix issue causing penalty.
- Re-evaluation request: After fixing the problem, send a review request to Google in Google Search Console .
Conclusion:
Google penalty can seriously damage your business. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with Google’s rules and guidelines, optimize the site and produce quality content to avoid a penalty.
By complying with Google’s requirements, you can improve your site’s ranking in SERPs and increase your website traffic.