Handling algorithmic penalties in Google search while doing SEO requires a systematic approach to identify the issue, rectify it, and regain lost rankings and visibility. Algorithmic penalties are imposed automatically by Google’s algorithms when they detect violations of their guidelines. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to handle algorithmic penalties:

1. Identify the Penalty Type: Before taking any action, determine the type of penalty affecting your site. Google’s algorithms, like Panda, Penguin, and the Core updates, target different aspects of a website’s content, backlink profile, and overall quality. You can use tools like Google Search Console to identify drops in traffic and rankings that align with known algorithm updates.

2. Perform a Site Audit: Conduct a thorough audit of your website to identify potential issues that might have triggered the penalty. This includes assessing your content quality, internal linking structure, backlink profile, technical SEO, and user experience. Tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help with this analysis.

3. Analyze Backlinks: If the penalty is related to your backlink profile (Penguin penalty), identify low-quality or spammy backlinks that might be causing the issue. Disavow toxic links using Google’s Disavow Tool and focus on building high-quality, relevant, and authoritative backlinks to replace them.

4. Content Quality Improvement: For penalties related to content quality (Panda penalty), review your content for thin, duplicate, or low-quality pages. Enhance your content by adding value, addressing user needs, and ensuring it’s unique and engaging.

5. Mobile-Friendliness and Technical SEO: If the penalty seems to be related to technical issues or mobile-friendliness, address issues like page speed, mobile responsiveness, structured data implementation, and proper use of meta tags.

6. User Experience Enhancement: A positive user experience is crucial for SEO success. Improve user navigation, site structure, and overall usability to ensure visitors have a seamless experience on your website.

7. Monitor and Track Progress: After making the necessary improvements, closely monitor your website’s performance. Track changes in rankings, organic traffic, and other relevant metrics over time. This will help you determine the effectiveness of your actions.

8. Submit a Reconsideration Request (If Applicable): In some cases, algorithmic penalties might not require manual reconsideration requests. However, if you suspect that your site has been unfairly penalized, and you’ve made substantial improvements, you can submit a reconsideration request through Google Search Console.

9. Stay Updated with Algorithm Changes: To prevent future algorithmic penalties, stay informed about Google’s algorithm updates and best practices. Continuously monitor industry news, official Google announcements, and reputable SEO resources.

10. Focus on Quality and User-Centric Approach: Prevention is key. Instead of relying on quick fixes or trying to game the system, focus on providing high-quality, valuable content and a great user experience. This will help your website stand strong against algorithmic changes.

Remember that recovering from an algorithmic penalty takes time, and it’s essential to approach the process with patience and a commitment to best practices. If you’re unsure about the process or lack the expertise, consider seeking help from reputable SEO professionals or agencies with experience in handling algorithmic penalties.