http://www.webmarketingexperts.com.au/blog/2011/08/how-can-i-recover-from-a-google-penalty/ is one of the fastest growing and changing IT industries, with the techniques that bring SEO success constantly evolving. SEO techniques considered effective and a great way to do SEO may not be as effective a month later, and could result in adverse effects for your site and its SEO campaign. Therefore, focus on white hat SEO techniques and keep up with the goings on and changes that bring success when it comes to SEO. As a general rule, this ought to prevent you from obtaining a Google penalty. However, Google penalties do happen, but recovery from such a penalty is possible.
The biggest downside of a penalty from Google is the loss of rankings, and removal from search results. One of the most talked about examples of Google penalty being imposed on a business is that of J.C. Penney. This was a case a while back where J.C. Penney used link building strategies that violated Google webmaster rules. When discovered and written about by The New York Times, Google’s response was to issue a penalty that removed the site from search results.
Fast forward two months, and J.C. Penney is now starting to return to the Google search results, showing it is possible to recover from a Google penalty should it occur.
Accept that the problem has occurred and take steps to fix it
First of all, accept the reality that the Google penalty occurred, and focus on making things right. Determine what caused the penalty and take corrective action to fix it. Depending on what the issue was the fix may be a lengthy process, but this is the first step to take when it comes to resolving the issue that incurred the penalty.
Once resolved, submit a reconsideration request to Google
Once you feel that the problem has been resolved, submit a reconsideration request to Google. This will ask Google to visit your site and assess its suitability to be added (or re-added, in this instance) to Google search results.
If successful, don’t expect results to be what they once were right away. Chances are your site will be quite low in search results, and you have to build up trust with Google that your site should be higher up. Rebuilding is a process that takes time, just like an SEO campaign does in its early days.
Utilise SEO techniques that are within Google guidelines
When re-building your SEO strategy, consider the techniques you wish to use. Google is tough on what it considers black hat techniques, so ensure any strategies you wish to carry out abide by its guidelines. If a link building strategy is planned, ensure that links are obtained from good quality sites. These can be from sites that are an authority or leader in the industry, or otherwise are relevant to your business. Don’t buy links from sites, these are now showing to have no benefit due to the fact that anyone can obtain them, and offer very little value when it comes to your own website.
