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RED SAGSkills
hardSEO Specialist interview question

A client has received a manual action for unnatural links to their site. Walk me through how you handle it.

What the interviewer wants to hear

  • Read the manual action details in Search Console
  • Export and audit backlinks from several sources
  • Remove problem links where possible and document outreach
  • Disavow links that cannot be removed
  • Stop the practices that caused it
  • Submit a clear, honest reconsideration request

Model answer

First I read the manual action details in Search Console to see whether it affects the whole site or specific pages, and I check the examples Google gives. Then I export backlinks from Search Console and tools like Ahrefs or Semrush and audit them, looking for paid links, link networks, keyword-stuffed anchor text and spammy directories. I talk honestly with the client about any past link buying, because the reconsideration request must explain it. I contact site owners to remove the worst links and keep a record of all outreach. For links that cannot be removed, I create a disavow file at domain level where appropriate. Most importantly, the client must stop the practice. Then I submit a reconsideration request explaining what happened, what we did and how we will prevent it. If it is rejected, I review the feedback and continue the clean-up.

Can you answer it under time pressure?

Take a timed hard round and get scored on every answer.

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