Google Site Reputation Policy Update for the EEA (2026): What Changed

What changed

• Google tied the change to discussions with the European Commission and said it is adjusting its enforcement approach within the European Economic Area.
• From 30 August 2026, a manual action under Google's site reputation policy has a different effect inside the EEA than outside it.
• Outside the EEA, such a manual action directly affects search results for the affected part of the site, and the rest of the site is not affected.
• Inside the EEA, the manual action's impact does not apply; Google may handle the affected section separately so it ranks on its own over time.
• Site owners are still notified in Search Console, can submit a reconsideration request, and eligible sites can then bring disputes to mediation.

Who is affected

• Sites that publish third-party content on a trusted domain to benefit from its reputation, which is the practice the policy targets.

What to check this week

• Check Search Console for manual action notifications on your site.
• If you believe a manual action was taken in error, submit a reconsideration request as Google describes. Recommended in the platform documentation: read the official page

Official sources

• Update to the Site Reputation PolicyGoogle Search Central Blog · checked 7 October 2026

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