Google has started enforcing its new site reputation abuse policy with manual actions, which are inspections by Google staff to determine if a webpage violates spam policies. This policy impacts sites that host third-party content with little oversight, often to share affiliate sales.
Manual actions can result in the complete removal of the offending webpage from Google's search index or prevent it from ranking. Google only communicates manual actions to the site publisher or those with access to the website's search console account.
Recently, some big brand websites have stopped ranking for coupon-related search queries. SEO expert Aleyda Solis noted that some sites have removed their coupon webpages, while others still host these pages but no longer rank in search results. However, it's not confirmed if these sites received a manual action.
For instance, global news agency Reuters previously ranked number one for the keyword phrase "GoDaddy promo code". Now, it's completely removed from the search results. However, Reuters' GoDaddy coupon page is still in Google's index, just not ranking anymore.
Interestingly, Reuters changed their disclaimer on the coupon page after Google's Site Reputation Abuse policy announcement. The previous disclaimer distanced Reuters from involvement with the third-party content, while the current one asserts oversight over the third-party content. This change raises questions about whether Reuters altered their disclaimer to appear compliant with Google's spam policy.
It's unclear if Reuters and other big brands received a manual action resulting in ranking demotion or if the demotion is a coincidence.
