Google keeps a record of the websites that violate its rules. This is the Google SEO Blacklist. If your site finds its way on that list, Google will strike it from its search results. Since most websites get their traffic from Google, this can put a huge dent in the websites engagement and activity.
If your site has been put on the SEO Blacklist, it’s basically a death sentence. You need to take immediate steps to remove your site from the Blacklist. First, you need to find out if your site has been blacklisted by Google or not.
Why Did Google Blacklist Your Website?
Google doesn’t recommend any websites to its users that aren’t relevant to their queries. However, it completely bans websites which can cause harm or inconvenience its users.
Websites containing malicious code, phishing software, or those that violate Google’s policies are immediately removed from Google search results.
It’s estimated that 10,000 websites are blacklisted by Google daily.
Other reasons for blacklisting may include:
- Using Black Hat SEO Techniques: Using irrelevant keywords, and paying others to show links to your website (this comes under irrelevant content) all classify as Black Hat SEO. Repeated use of such techniques will land you on the Google SEO Blacklist.
- Plagiarism: If Google notices you copy content from other sites, it’ll be flagged as untrustworthy or dubious. Hence, it will lose authority. your site will end up on the SEO Blacklist.
- Domain Hacks: If you don’t have the proper security, your website domain may get hacked. If that happens, Google will blacklist your website immediately to protect its users.
How Will You Know if Google SEO Blacklists Your Website?
If users are getting warnings like “The site ahead contains malware” or “Deceptive site ahead” then it’s been blacklisted by Google.
How to Get Your Website Off Google SEO Blacklist?
Here are some things you can do to get off the Google Blacklist.
Step 1: Verify Domain Ownership
First things first. Verify your domain ownership by following these instructions. If your website has been hacked, Google will need confirmation that you’re the owner. It can then work on returning control to you.
Step 2: Install a Security Plugin/Service
Try installing a security plugin on your website to sort through any content and remove security threats. That, combined with the Google Console Security Report (see below), should keep your website security threat free.
Step 3: Go to Your Google Search Console
You will get notifications on your Google Search Console if there are any security errors on your site. Google will even give you instructions on how to fix this.
Step 4: Google Transparency Report
Google has a Transparency Report Service which analyzes your entire website. It’ll tell you which of your webpages contain malicious content, including plug-ins, so you can remove immediately.
Keep Your Website Off the Google SEO Blacklist Permanently
It’s good to keep vigilant about your website’s security and content. Ensure that you refrain from plagiarism and refrain from Black Hat SEO. Stay up-to-date with security patches and new security add-ons like multi-factor authentication.
Following these basic instructions will keep your site off the Google SEO Blacklist.
