What is a Reconsideration Request?
A reconsideration request is a message that a webmaster sends to Google’s webspam team after fixing the issues that led to a manual action (penalty). If the reconsideration is successful, the manual action will be lifted from the website. Reconsideration requests are processed by real humans, who decide whether enough actions were taken and if a penalty can be lifted from the website.
Why Are Reconsideration Requests Important?
Reconsideration requests are the only way to lift a manual action from a website. A manual action is a penalty given to websites that violate Google’s webmaster quality guidelines. Although Google’s algorithm is capable of detecting most black-hat SEO tactics, they still rely on a human-led team to further investigate tricky violation cases.
Consider a reconsideration request as a way to apologize to Google, explaining what actions you took to remedy your mistakes so that you can get your website back on the SERPs.
Reconsideration Request Tips
1. Be Polite
When writing a reconsideration request, it’s important to remember that you’re submitting it to real people. Be polite in your messaging, and be respectful of their time by keeping it concise. You want to get your website back on the SERPs, and these people can help.
2. Document Every Step You Take to Fix the Issues
Document every action you take to improve your website and include those actions in your request to show Google that you’ve taken steps to rectify your mistakes. For example:
- Removed cloaked text from “X” page
- Contacted “X” website to remove a link
- Hired an SEO professional to analyze my link profile
Such a log will help you send a more structured and convincing message.
3. Show Actions You Took to Avoid Manual Actions in the Future
As extra evidence that you’ve learned from your mistake, it can help your case to outline in your reconsideration request the steps you’re taking to avoid getting a manual action again. For instance, if your manual action arose from buying links, you can say that you’ve instituted a new “no link buying” policy or created an SOP for in-house SEOs that prohibits any link schemes.
4. Be Honest
It won’t help your case to deny or play dumb when explaining what caused the manual action, so we recommend coming clean in your request. Be transparent in the steps you’re taking to lift the manual action as well. Reviewers have the tools to check if anything really changed on a website, so don’t try to fool them.
5. Provide Maximum Information About Your Actions
Include as many details as possible when demonstrating your efforts. For example, if you tried to contact a website owner to remove a paid link to your site, but they didn’t respond, include a record of that conversation in your request. The same goes if you sought help on the Google Webmaster Forum. Add a link to the thread in your request as proof.
6. Only Submit a Request When ALL Issues Have Been Fixed
Submitting a request without fixing all the issues could delay the reconsideration process and prolong the negative effect on your website. Make sure to check that all of your issues have been resolved to the best of your abilities. Include all relevant documentation and steps, proofread your request, and then submit it. Do not resubmit until you receive a response from the reconsideration team. They will inform you if the manual action has been lifted or if they require additional details.
Conclusion
A reconsideration request is a crucial step in resolving manual actions from Google and restoring your website's search engine standing. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of a successful reconsideration request and get your site back on track.
