A reconsideration request asks Google to review your site after you fix problems identified in a manual action or security issues notification. This request is the only mechanism to lift manual penalties and restore search visibility once you have resolved violations or cleaned compromises. Without this step, restrictions on your site remain active regardless of fixes implemented.
What is a Reconsideration Request?
A reconsideration request notifies Google that you have resolved issues triggering a manual action or security warning. Manual actions occur when a human reviewer determines your site violates Google's spam policies. Security issues include hacks, malware, or other compromises detected by Google's systems.
You submit the request after completing remediation work. Google then evaluates whether your fixes meet their guidelines before removing the penalty or clearing the security warning.
Why Reconsideration Requests Matter
- Restore search visibility: Manual actions can suppress rankings or remove your site from search results entirely. A successful request lifts these restrictions.
- Recover organic traffic: Once Google confirms fixes, your site can regain previous positions and traffic levels lost during the penalty period.
- Clear security warnings: Browser warnings and search result labels indicating compromised status disappear after Google verifies cleanup.
- Validate remediation: The request triggers a formal review process that confirms your fixes are adequate, not just hopeful assumptions.
How Reconsideration Requests Work
The process follows a simple sequence:
- Identify the issue: Check the Manual Actions report or Security Issues report in Google Search Console to see specific violations or compromises.
- Fix all problems: Address every instance of the violation. For manual actions, this means removing spam content, unnatural links, or other guideline violations. For security issues, this means cleaning malware and closing vulnerabilities.
- Submit the request: File the reconsideration request through Google Search Console after confirming all issues are resolved.
- Wait for review: Google manually reviews your site to verify fixes. Timeframes for response are not specified in the sources.
- Receive outcome: Google either lifts the action or responds with additional issues to address.
Best Practices
- Fix completely before submitting: Google rejects requests if violations persist. Verify all issues are resolved across your entire site, not just specific examples mentioned in the report.
Example Scenario
A niche blog receives a manual action for thin content with little added value. The owner consolidates shallow posts into comprehensive guides, removes auto-generated pages, and improves editorial standards. After confirming all low-quality pages are gone, they submit a reconsideration request. Google reviews the improvements and lifts the manual action, allowing the blog to rank again.
FAQ
When should I submit a reconsideration request? Submit only after you have fixed all problems identified in the manual action or security issues notification. Submitting prematurely delays recovery.
What types of issues require a reconsideration request? Manual actions for spam policy violations and security issues such as malware or hacking compromises require a request after cleanup.
Where do I submit a reconsideration request? Submit through Google Search Console, specifically after reviewing the Manual Actions report or Security Issues report.
How long does the review process take? Not specified in the sources.
What happens if Google rejects my request? Not specified in the sources.
Can I submit multiple reconsideration requests? Not specified in the sources.
