OPEN SEARCH CONSOLE AND CHECK ONE REPORT THIS WEEK: MANUAL ACTIONS.
SEO consultants told Search Engine Roundtable this month that they are seeing more Google manual actions than in past months, mostly for thin, scaled or spammy content and unnatural links. A manual action is a human decision at Google, and it shows up in one place: the Manual actions report in Search Console. Checking it takes a minute. This post explains what to look for and a routine for sites of any size.
AT A GLANCE
By Conqueror Capital · Published
The short answer: in Search Console, open Security & Manual actions, then Manual actions. It should say no issues detected. If it lists an action, fix every affected page, then request a review.
WHAT A MANUAL ACTION IS
Google says it issues a manual action when a human reviewer at Google has determined that pages on a site do not comply with its spam policies.1 That is different from an algorithm update, which is automated. A manual action is listed by name in your Search Console account, with the pages or patterns it affects.1
On October 8, 2026, Search Engine Roundtable reported that consultants are seeing more of them. One said requests for help went from essentially none to several per week, for thin content, pure spam and scaled content, and that most of the sites were legitimate, long-standing businesses.2
WHERE TO FIND THE REPORT
- Sign in to Google Search Console and choose your site.
- In the menu, open Security & Manual actions, then Manual actions.
- If it says no issues detected, you are clear today. If it lists an action, open it to see the reason and the affected pages.
Google lists the types it can issue, including thin content with little or no added value, user-generated spam, unnatural links to or from your site, structured data issues, hidden text and keyword stuffing, and site reputation abuse.1 If you have never set up Search Console, our Search Console guide walks through it.
A MONTHLY ROUTINE
- Check the report. First week of every month. Note the date and the result.
- List new pages. Write down every page added in the last year and who wrote it. Pages with no owner are the ones most likely to be thin.
- Look for copy-paste location pages. Compare two area pages. If only the town name changes, rewrite or merge them.
- Clean up open areas. Remove spam from comments, reviews, forums or profiles on your site, and turn off any open area you do not moderate.
IF YOU FIND A MANUAL ACTION
Google's steps are short. Read the description and the affected pages, fix the issue on all affected pages, and make sure Google can reach them without a login, paywall or robots.txt block. Then select Request review.1
In the request, explain the exact problem, what you changed and what the result was. Google says most reviews take several days or weeks, and link-related ones can take longer. You are told by email when the review starts and when it is done.1 Fixing only some pages does not earn a partial pass, so do the whole job before you ask.1
Our post on the September 2026 spam update covers how to find thin pages before they become a problem.
WHAT CHANGES FOR MULTI-LOCATION AND ENTERPRISE SITES
Large sites carry more risk because every page added in a hurry is one more page to defend. A few habits help:
- One named owner. Someone in marketing or IT checks the report monthly and keeps a log.
- Access for the right people. Make sure Search Console notifications go to a mailbox someone reads, not to a former agency or employee.
- Every property. If you run several domains or subdomains, check each one.
- A publishing gate. Location and service pages go live only after a person who knows the business has read them.
Our mid-size and enterprise page explains how we support larger teams.
FAQ
What is a Google manual action?
Google says it is issued when a human reviewer at Google has determined that pages on a site do not comply with Google's spam policies.
Where do I see if my site has a manual action?
In Google Search Console, under Security & Manual actions, then Manual actions. The report shows any current actions and the site's history.
How long does a reconsideration review take?
Google says most take several days or weeks, and link-related requests can take longer. You are informed by email.
Can I fix some pages and ask for a review?
Google says you should fix the issue on all affected pages. Fixing only some pages will not earn a partial reinstatement.
Is a manual action the same as a spam update?
No. A spam update is automated. A manual action is a decision by a human reviewer and is listed by name in Search Console.
SOURCES
- Search Console Help, Manual Actions report.
- Search Engine Roundtable, Google Search Issuing More Google Manual Action Penalties? (October 8, 2026).
- Google Search Central, Spam policies for Google web search.
Platforms change often. Check the sources for the current version before acting.
KEEP READING
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