So, what do we do when we go overboard with SEO and cross the fine line between White and Black Hats? Well, first of all we have to remove all the spammy techniques that we used. Second, we should take an objective look at our website and try to find anything that Google’s Search Quality Associate might find sneaky.
After we fix everything and have a 100% spam free website, we go to Google Webmasters Tools (www.google.com/webmasters). In the Dashboard, on the right hand side, we’ll have messages, and tools. Last on the list is a link called “Request reconsideration.” Note that previously it was called a reinclusion request, but since that was not really true – it’s more than just bans, but also penalties, delistings, etc., they changed it to what it is right now.
So now, how do we write the reconsideration letter itself?
Well, first of all be truthful. If you used an SEO firm, please do state so. I was fixing one site, ant the client had an SEO company do it first. They didn’t get him anywhere, actually they got him banned. What those brains from an undisclosed company did, was to put a PHP script on the bottom of every page (using a global footer) that would go into a loop and generate several hundred of 1px by 1px spacer GIFs that would be a link to one of the subpages and be totally stuffed with keywords in the alternative text attribute of their img src declaration tag. I’ve stated as much, and guess what? Within 4 days my client from ranking nowhere for anything, jumped into #1 position in Google SERP for his targeted keyword (and some other ones as well).
So yes, be honest, tell them what happened, tell them that you’ve fixed it. Also, you better be darn sure to state that you promise never to do that again!
I’ve noticed that some people tend to throw in some reference to their Google adwords or adsense affiliation, thinking that Google’s gonna let them of the hook because they’re doing business together. Well, that’s not gonna fly, so forget about this part.
That would be pretty much it, worked for me. Keep in mind that it may take a while (probably weeks) for Google to do something about your site’s status and if they do they might not even let you know about it. So yeah, monitor the SERPs for your keywords.
Quick recap of what to do when your site gets banned:
Remove all Black Hat practices.
Request reinclusion stating:
What happened?
What did you do to fix it?
Will it ever happen again (better not)?
Hope it helps, thanks for reading!
May 17th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
When you get black listed take this advice….Peace
December 21st, 2009 at 5:54 pm
What if I bought the domain and I later found out it was banned.
Thanks,
Kristina
December 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Are you sure that the domain is banned Krisitna? Maybe Google didn’t index it yet? If it has been banned indeed, I would suggest writing a reconsideration request stating that the domain has been banned due to previous owner’s activities and that you now control the website and you will abide by their TOS and not use any spammy techniques. As long as you’re honest with them, you should be OK.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Thank you for the reply!
- Kristina C