Does Google have a memory?

[gymhero]

Recently, one of my sites dropped considerably in Google's ranking. This site never used 'spam' techniques, and had a reasonable amount of inbound links. After a lot of head scratching, and checking all the outgoing links, I discovered that it quite heavily linked to a site that had been penalised.

These links have now been removed, and I am fairly confident that all the other links are 'safe'. However, will this site now return to its original position? ie, does Google keep a record of all the sites that have been penalised, and hold it against the sites even when they have been changed?

Basically, would it be worth building a whole new site, or is all forgiven in Google's eyes on the next refresh?

Any help on this subject would be most appreciated. Cheers.

[cbp]

There are a lot of other reasons why sitres drop that have nothing to do with links.

What is the URL?

CBP

[fathom]

"If" the potentially offending links are all removed then the pending Google penalty will be remove.

If a 1st offense then in 30 days, if a 2nd 60 days, 90 days for a 3rd offense after Google sees (via a crawl) the offending problem is removed.

If longer - then you still have something affecting your website.

[daxesh]

CBP can you pleae clarify 1st, 2nd and 3rd offences. Also I would like to know from where did you come to know about this.

Hope you will enlighten us all.

[tacimala]

I don't have the exact URL, but I read that same information over at the Google webmaster section. Just not sure which exact page there!