Site security and violations
Yandex algorithms regularly check sites to ensure that search results include useful and secure pages.
The function of the algorithms is to reduce the risk of harm to users. If your site violates Yandex Search rules or uses fraudulent promotion methods, the algorithms may impose restrictions. These restrictions may affect the ranking:
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Of your entire site: If the violation relates to the parent domain, restrictions apply to all subdomains of the site.
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Of some sections of the site: Restrictions apply only to certain sections (for example, pages dedicated to a certain topic) and don't affect the entire site as a whole.
Search results may also display warnings about the site to users.
Where to view restrictions
You can view what violations were detected on your site, along with their descriptions and recommendations on how to remove any applied restrictions in Yandex Webmaster on the Website optimization → Security and violations page.
If Website optimization → Security and violations doesn't show any violations, it means there are no restrictions applied to your site or any of its sections.
To learn about violations the moment they are detected, subscribe to notifications.
If the algorithms detect a violation, you can find the details in Website optimization → Site diagnostics in the section with errors.
How to lift a restriction
- Open Yandex Webmaster and go to Website optimization → Security and violations.
- Fix the violations on your site or some of its sections.
- Once you are done, provide a detailed description of what you've fixed in the violation description text box. If needed, attach proof.
- Select Violation fixed.
- Click Submit for review and confirm.
Next to the violation, you can see its status:
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Submitted for review: The site or some of its sections are pending review by Yandex algorithms.
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Under review: The algorithms have started reviewing the site. This may take up to 30 days.
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Restriction lifted: The site has passed the review, and the threat warning in search results will disappear. Its ranking in search results will continue, with its position depending on how well it fits the user's query at a given moment. To make the violation notification in Yandex Webmaster disappear, click Hide.
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Restriction not lifted: The review has been completed, but the algorithms still detect violations on the site or its sections. To submit the site for another review, you'll need to wait 30 days after you last attempt. During this time, the Submit for review button is disabled.
Types of violations
If you see a violation, navigate to the page with its description to learn how to fix it.
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The site's pages contain texts that are useless to the user. They are created to manipulate search engines and can be found in text blocks, navigation or control elements, or tag clouds. |
The user gets redirected to a third‑party resource automatically or upon interacting with a site element. This redirection is neither obvious nor expected to him. |
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The site copies the appearance or functionality of another popular resource using similar components (domain name, icon, logo, content, description, headers, and so on) or impersonates an official resource that doesn't exist. |
The site's pages display different information to users and indexing bots. |
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Dangerous or unwanted programs (or links to them) have been detected on the site. |
Site owners intentionally post false information to fraudulently obtain users' personal data or money. |
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The site deliberately misleads users with inaccurate or distorted information, which can lead to financial loss or inaccurately portrays the terms of the deal. |
The content on the site has no value for users and doesn't address their needs. |
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To create the appearance of a popular resource, the site's owner is artificially increasing its traffic, or provides such services to others. This may be done with the help of third parties or by engaging users who intentionally imitate site sessions. |