What is Google Penalty?

Manual penalties come from human Google reviewers who found violations, you'll see a notification in Search Console. Algorithmic penalties happen automatically when algorithm updates detect issues, no notification, just traffic drops.

Check Google Search Console for manual action notifications. For algorithmic penalties, look for sudden traffic/ranking drops coinciding with known algorithm updates. Tools like Semrush can help correlate drops with update dates.

Manual penalties: After fixing issues and submitting reconsideration, expect weeks to months for review and recovery. Algorithmic penalties: Recovery happens at next algorithm update, could be weeks to years. Some sites never fully recover.

No. You're responsible for your site and its backlinks regardless of how violations occurred. If a previous owner or agency used black hat tactics, you inherit the consequences. Ignorance isn't a defense.

Intentional deception gets the harshest treatment: cloaking, link schemes, hacking/spam, and repeated violations. Google distinguishes between technical issues and deliberate manipulation. Intentional violations are harder to recover from.

Yes, many SEO professionals specialize in penalty recovery. Be careful though: make sure they use legitimate methods. Some 'recovery experts' use more black hat tactics, making things worse. Ask for specific methodology and references.