Google Reconsideration Request Without Warning Message First?

[wattssw]

Is there ever a circumstance to request a reconsideration through Google Webmaster Tools without having first received some type of warning message from Google?

For instance, if its discovered that the site was violating Google's policy for a long time inadvertently, the problem is fixed now, just wanted to let you know. Or is it sort of like don't wake the beast and never communicate with Google unless they initiate the conversation?

[ZephSnapp]

It's not so much that you don't want to wake the beast, but more that the beast will ignore you.  If you have not been warned, most likely you will be told that it was an "algo change" rather than a manual penalty.  For Algo changes they do not reconsider rankings, because that would be manually tweaking something that they had solved with the Algo.  Might be better to just focus on continuing to improve your site and they will find and reward you.

[HiveDigitalInc]

Rand recommends a pre-emptive reconsideration request if you really don't know the source of the bad tactics.

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/negative-seo-myths-realities-and-precautions-whiteboard-friday