--- title: Is My Site Being Penalised By Google? description: Learn how to tell if your site is penalised by Google. Understand the difference between manual penalties and algorithmic ranking drops, and how to check using Google Search Console. --- [Skip to content](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/is-my-site-being-penalised-by-google#main-content) English - United Kingdom Show submenu for translations [![dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BrisTechTonic%20Website/Logos/dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background.png?width=200&height=113&name=dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background.png)](https://www.bristechtonic.co.uk/?hsLang=en-gb) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English - United Kingdom Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://www.bristechtonic.co.uk/contact) [Contact us](https://www.bristechtonic.co.uk/contact?hsLang=en-gb) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [BrisTechTonic Knowledge Base](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-gb) 2. [Common Client Questions](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/common-client-questions?hsLang=en-gb) 23 March 2026 # Is My Site Being Penalised By Google? ### Manual penalties vs algorithmic drops There's an important distinction between a Google penalty (a deliberate action against your site) and an algorithmic ranking drop (your site simply doesn't meet Google's quality criteria as well as competitors). Most cases of sudden ranking loss that people call "penalties" are actually algorithmic. ### Manual penalties A manual action is when a human Google reviewer explicitly penalises your site for violating guidelines — usually for spammy backlinks, cloaking, or thin/duplicate content. If you have a manual action, it appears clearly in Google Search Console under Security and Manual Actions. Manual penalties are relatively rare. ### Algorithmic drops More common are ranking drops caused by algorithm updates. These aren't penalties — they're Google reassessing quality and relevance against evolving criteria. Recovery requires improving content quality and technical setup. ### How to check Go to Google Search Console \> Security and Manual Actions. If there's nothing there, you don't have a manual penalty. If you've had a significant traffic drop, bring it to your account manager with the date it started. - [Getting started](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Onboarding](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/getting-started?hsLang=en-gb#onboarding) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Websites](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/troubleshooting?hsLang=en-gb#websites) - [Integrations](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/integrations?hsLang=en-gb#main-content) - [Google Analytics](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/integrations?hsLang=en-gb#google-analytics) - [Google Search Console](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/integrations?hsLang=en-gb#google-search-console) - [Google Business Profile](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/integrations?hsLang=en-gb#google-business-profile) - [Google Tag Manager](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/integrations?hsLang=en-gb#google-tag-manager) - [Understanding SEO](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/understanding-seo?hsLang=en-gb) - [Website Structure](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/website-structure?hsLang=en-gb) - [Measuring SEO Performance](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/measuring-seo-performance?hsLang=en-gb) - [AI Search and SEO](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/ai-search-and-seo?hsLang=en-gb) - [Platform Guides](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/platform-guides?hsLang=en-gb) - [Working with BrisTechTonic](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/working-with-bristechtonic?hsLang=en-gb) - [Google Ads and PPC](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/google-ads-and-ppc?hsLang=en-gb) - [Common Client Questions](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/knowledge-base/common-client-questions?hsLang=en-gb) [![dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background](https://support.bristechtonic.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BrisTechTonic%20Website/Logos/dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background.png?width=200&height=113&name=dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background.png "dark-bristechtonic-word-clear-background")](https://www.bristechtonic.co.uk/?hsLang=en-gb) [mailto:hello@bristechtonic.co.uk](mailto:hello@bristechtonic.co.uk) Copyright © 2025, BrisTechTonic