A Google algorithmic penalty occurs when a website’s or some of its pages’ ranking in Google search results drops significantly without any substantial changes to the content. This drop is usually attributed to adjustments or changes in Google’s algorithm. Unlike a deliberate manual penalty imposed by Google, an algorithmic penalty results from an evolution in how the algorithm works, potentially impacting certain sites by demoting them in search results.

The most notable algorithmic penalties are often linked to filters implemented by Google to combat abusive or non-compliant SEO practices. For example, the Panda and Penguin algorithms had a significant impact upon their introduction. It’s important to note that these penalties aren’t exclusively associated with fraudulent practices. A website located outside of domains like mobile accounting or security (HTTPS) can also experience a demotion in search results.

Unlike manual penalties, whose reasons are often explicit, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the precise reasons for an algorithmic penalty and identify the necessary corrective actions. There is no clear procedure for overcoming it, nor is there a specific notification in Search Console. The detection of an algorithmic penalty is indicated by a decrease in visibility in search results.