This may sound ridiculous, but how can I tell if I've been hit with a minus 30 penalty or if I just am bad at SEO. Some of my sites appear on the 3rd or 4th page. Am I just being paranoid? If I am the 35th listing, am I 35 because I deserve to be or am I a number 5 ranking with a -30 penalty?
Are your sites registered in webmaster central - penalties are more frequently being communicated through there. In terms of the likelihood of your site having fallen victim - it would depend a little on the sequence of the events. My understanding is that any penalty of that kind is applied retrospectively - so if your site was at no 5 - and then suddenly dropped to 35 - then you might be realistic in thinking you have a penalty. If your site has never been higher than 35 - it's far less likely that a penalty will be responsible and its more likely to reflect the individual site. Dylan