Google Adds Reconsideration Request Status Updates

I reported at the Search Engine Roundtable that Google is now sending email notifications to webmasters after they have reviewed a reconsideration request submitted through Google Webmaster Tools.

This is a major change in how Google previous handled reconsideration requests. In the past, a webmaster would submit a reconsideration requests and a webmaster would have no idea if or when Google reviewed the site. In some cases, the site would simply reappear in the Google index, on other occasions, nothing would happen for months. The webmaster was left not knowing if he/she had to clean up the site more or if Google had yet to review the site for reconsideration.

Now, Google has confirmed they are sending emails to those who submitted a reconsideration requests. The email may be sent days after the request is made and starts with the subject line “We’ve processed your reconsideration request for [mywebsite.com].”

As I reported, Sager from the Google Webmaster Help team said that if you get this notification and your site is not back in the Google index a few days later, your site is likely still in “violation of our [Google] guidelines.”

I am very happy Google has added this step to their reconsideration request workflow.

Postscript: Seven days later, Google has blogged about this new feature.