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@Mr_Roger_Dodger1
SEO and Visibility for My Pickleball Site

@Mr_Roger_Dodger1 The term "Blacklisted" in the context of MOZ's 4xx error report page refers to pages that have been flagged as potentially problematic or harmful by MOZ's crawler or bot. This could be due to several reasons:

1. Server Response Codes: The 4xx error codes typically indicate client errors, such as "404 Not Found" or "403 Forbidden," meaning that the requested page could not be accessed or is forbidden for some reason.

2. Blocked or Restricted Access: Some pages may be intentionally blocked from being crawled by MOZ's bot, or they might have restrictions in place that prevent MOZ from accessing them.

3. Content or Security Issues: Pages with "Blacklisted" tags might contain content that violates MOZ's policies or guidelines, or they might raise security concerns.

If you have pages showing a "Blacklisted" tag in MOZ's critical errors report, here are some steps to check and resolve the issue:

1. Verify the 4xx Errors: First, check the reported pages for any actual 4xx HTTP status errors by accessing them through a web browser and using tools like the browser's developer console or online HTTP status checkers.

2. Inspect Content and Security: Review the content of the flagged pages for any potential issues, such as spammy or malicious content. Ensure that your website doesn't have any security vulnerabilities that could trigger blacklisting.

3. Check Robots.txt: Make sure that your website's robots.txt file is correctly configured and not blocking MOZ's bot or other important user agents.

4. Review Server Logs: Check your server logs for any unusual activity or error patterns that could indicate problems with the flagged pages.

5. Google Search Console: Use Google Search Console to check if any of the flagged pages are also showing 4xx errors or other issues in Google's index. Address and fix any errors reported there.

6. Request a Review: If you believe the "Blacklisted" tag is incorrect, reach out to MOZ's support or review team for assistance. They can manually review the flagged pages and help resolve any misclassifications.

7. Monitor Rankings: Keep an eye on the rankings of the flagged pages in Google search results. If they are ranking well despite the "Blacklisted" tag in MOZ, it might indicate that MOZ's crawler has encountered issues specific to their bot, and it might not directly impact your Google rankings.

Remember that MOZ's crawler may have different criteria and limitations compared to Google's search engine, and it's essential to address flagged issues for the best overall website health and user experience. If you're unsure about any specific issues or how to resolve them, consider seeking advice from SEO experts or web developers to ensure your website is functioning optimally.

@Mr_Roger_Dodger1 Alright, let’s break this down.
The term “Blacklisted” on the MOZ critical errors page indicates that MOZ believes these URLs have been blacklisted by search engines, typically because of malicious activities, like spamming or hosting malware. It’s not a good sign, but don’t panic just yet.
Steps to Address the Issue:

• Manual Verification: Before taking any drastic actions, manually check the pages in question. Ensure there’s no malicious content or anything that violates search engine guidelines. Sometimes tools can flag false positives.

• Google Search Console: If you’re worried about these pages’ standing with Google, use Google Search Console. Check for any security issues or manual actions. If your pages are ranking on the first page of Google, it’s unlikely they’re blacklisted, but it’s still good to be sure.

• Re-crawl with MOZ: Sometimes the data might be outdated. Ask MOZ to re-crawl your website to check if the issue still persists.

• Third-Party Check: Use other tools to verify if your site or pages are indeed blacklisted. There are various online blacklist checkers available that can give you more insights.

• Rectify and Submit for Review: If you do find that there’s an issue, address it immediately. This might involve removing malicious content, improving security measures, or getting rid of spammy backlinks. Once rectified, you can submit your website for a review, especially if there’s a manual action on it.

Remember, while tools like MOZ provide valuable insights, they’re not foolproof. Always use a combination of tools, manual checks, and your judgment to make informed decisions. If the pages in question are indeed ranking well on Google, that’s a positive sign. However, always stay proactive about potential issues.

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@Mr_Roger_Dodger1 said in Pages say Blacklisted:

@juncerhoang Thanks for the reply. No issues in search console. Some of the pages ramk first page in a competitive sot and no other tools show anything blacklisted. Just MOZ.

"I don't think it really matters much if it only shows on Moz, because our goal is Google, Bing, or any other search platform."

@Mr_Roger_Dodger1 To check if this is indeed an issue and how to fix it, follow these steps:

Verify the Issue: First, confirm if the pages are indeed returning 4xx errors. Use a web browser, visit the URLs of the reported pages, and check if you receive a "404 Not Found" error or any other 4xx error. If you don't encounter any issues, MOZ's data might need updating or re-crawling.

Check Blacklisting Status: Verify if the website or specific pages have been blacklisted by using online tools that check for website blacklisting. These tools can scan various blacklists and report if your site is listed. If you find any blacklisting issues, follow the steps provided by the respective blacklist to remove your site from the blacklist.

Inspect Page Content and Links: Review the content and links on the reported pages. Ensure that they comply with Google's quality guidelines and are not engaging in any spammy or manipulative practices. Check for any malicious code or suspicious activity that might trigger security concerns.

Submit Reconsideration Request: If you find that your pages have been blacklisted or flagged by Google, submit a reconsideration request through Google Search Console. This is a formal request to review your site again and lift any penalties or blacklisting.

Technical Audit: Conduct a comprehensive technical audit of your website to identify any underlying issues that might be causing these errors. Use SEO auditing tools to scan for broken links, crawl errors, and other technical SEO issues.

Monitor Performance: Keep monitoring the relevant pages and their rankings. If they continue to rank well on Google and attract organic traffic, the MOZ report might have false positives. However, don't overlook any potential underlying issues and continue to improve the overall health and performance of your website.