Manual Action

[Kdruckenbrod]

Quick question. As an example, a client has a site named  site.com and then changed their business name and business url to site2.com

I was informed that the site.com has a manual action (Pages affected by manual actions can see reduced display features, lower ranking, or even removal from Google Search results.) The page obviously is not active as it 301's to site2.com.

Site.com has a 301 to site2.com. My questions?

Does 301 transfer link power? So if a site is penalized, will the links that 301 cause problems to the new site2.com?

I've requested them to remove the 301. Will, that fix it? Do we need to request a review?

Thank you

[KevinBudzynski]

If you change the domain, even without a 301, and the content is the same Google may pass the it.  Source  from 2014. The best solution is try to clean up the manual action or create original content on new site.

[Kdruckenbrod]

Thanks. Yes, the content for the new site is all original. The site.com can't be accessed. It automatically 301 to the new site.

So, there is no content on the site that Google says has a penalty. Should I ask for a review since they will remove the 301?

Thanks

[KevinBudzynski]

Yes, the 301 can still impact the new site even if it's not around anymore. If the legacy site had spam, cloaking or etc and is no longer live-- should be relatively straightforward to request a review and getting it resolved. If the legacy site had unnatural links to it, and you 301 to new site, could be lead to issues to the new site. I would most likely take down the 301 and request a review to get resolved. Once resolved, do the 301. Good luck!

[Kdruckenbrod]

Thanks, Kevin.

I'll recommend them to remove the 301 to the new site. Once that has been done, I'll have them send a review. Good to know, that the 301 can possibly hurt the new site.

I appreciate your comment. Very helpful.

[Kdruckenbrod]

Kevin,

I wanted to give you an update. The client requested a Google review and it was accepted. Thank you for your input and advice.

[KevinBudzynski]

Awesome! I know how clients can be. Good thing they had someone like you! Have a good one