# Google Update & Penalty Recovery

> Algorithm and penalty recovery diagnoses why a site lost rankings after a Google update or manual action and fixes the cause. We compare the timing with known updates, find the affected pages, review content quality and links, clean up what needs it, and file a reconsideration request when there is a manual action.

A sudden drop has a cause. We find it before recommending a single change.

## Why it matters now
Guessing after an update often makes things worse. Recovery depends on matching the drop to the right cause, whether that is thin content, unnatural links, a technical error or a shift in what Google rewards.

## What is included
- Traffic and ranking timeline analysis
- Manual action and security issue checks
- Content quality review of affected pages
- Backlink review and cleanup
- Technical regression checks
- Reconsideration requests when needed

## How we do it
1. **Match timing.** Line up the drop with updates and site changes.
2. **Find pages.** Identify which pages and queries lost ground.
3. **Fix causes.** Improve or remove weak pages and clean links.
4. **Recover.** Monitor and adjust through the next updates.

## Deliverables
- Diagnosis report
- Recovery plan
- Cleanup work
- Monitoring

## Who it is for
- Sites that lost traffic after a Google update
- Businesses with a manual action notice
- Sites hurt by an aggressive past SEO vendor

## Frequently asked questions
### How long does recovery take?

Manual actions can lift soon after a successful reconsideration. Algorithmic recovery usually shows at a later update, after the fixes have been in place for a while.

### Should we disavow links?

Rarely. Disavowing is for clear manipulative link schemes or manual actions. For most sites, Google already ignores low-quality links.

## Related
- [SEO Audit](https://sproutgrowthengine.com/services/seo/seo-audit/)
- [Link Building](https://sproutgrowthengine.com/services/links-pr/link-building/)
- [Content Refresh & Updates](https://sproutgrowthengine.com/services/content/content-refresh/)

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Sprout Growth Engine is the AI search and organic growth practice of Sprout for Business, LLC. 15 Cross Rd, Unit 4, Hooksett, NH 03106. Phone 603-227-5240. Contact form: https://sproutgrowthengine.com/contact/. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 59 Google reviews (https://search.google.com/local/reviews?placeid=ChIJj9ZDxjZq4okRzO1Wn8jLTb0, checked 2026-09-29).

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