Report Spammy or Infringing Sites to Google
Want to report a spammy or infringing website to Google? You’ve got two main options:
- Report webspam — for things like keyword stuffing, cloaking, link schemes.
- File a DMCA complaint — for copyright infringement when your content is copied without permission.
In this guide, Web Angel walks you through both—step by step—so you can take the right action fast.
Before You Start
Read Google’s own explanation of webspam. It clarifies what Google considers spam—and what it doesn’t.
Review it carefully, then return here for the exact steps.
What’s Next
Up next: a simple, actionable walkthrough to submit your Webspam Report and your
DMCA Removal Request—with screenshots and pro tips to avoid common mistakes.
Google: Every Search Matters
When you search on Google, the goal is simple: deliver relevant, high-quality information.
But sometimes, spam websites sneak in and hurt the experience.
Google has dedicated teams working full-time to fight spam and help webmasters follow best practices so they can succeed with useful, trustworthy content.
Fighting Spam at Scale
- Google indexes hundreds of billions of pages and answers billions of queries daily.
- Each day, over 25 billion spammy pages are detected.
- Thanks to these efforts, 99% of searches are spam-free.
Key Updates
- User-generated spam: Down 80% since 2018, and still under control.
- Link spam: Google blocked 90%+ in 2019, reducing the impact of paid links and link exchanges.
- Hacked sites: Still a challenge, but detection and recovery support have improved.
New Spam Trends
Spammers try everything from auto-generated content to fake buttons, aggressive ads, and malware.
In 2019, Google reduced the impact of these tricks by over 60% compared to 2018.
Machine learning + manual reviews helped Google catch scams faster and protect users from fake websites, data theft, and financial loss.
Working with Webmasters
- In 2019, Google received 230,000 spam reports and acted on 82% of them.
- Over 90 million messages were sent to site owners about issues affecting their search presence.
- 4.3 million manual actions were issued for violating Google’s guidelines.
To make things easier, Google introduced:
- New Search Console messages
- Site Kit for WordPress
- Automated DNS verification
Evolving Links
Google expanded the way it handles links with new attributes:
rel="sponsored"for paid linksrel="ugc"for user-generated contentrel="nofollow"now works as a “hint” rather than a strict directive
Community & Events
Google engaged with webmasters globally:
- 150+ events across 35 cities in 15 countries
- Ongoing initiatives like #AskGoogleWebmasters and the SEO Mythbusting series on YouTube
- Help Community available in 30+ languages
The Takeaway
Spam is always evolving, but Google is committed to keeping results clean and supporting site owners who publish real, valuable content.
Reporting Copyright Infringement with Google’s DMCA Tool
Now that you’ve gone through Google’s own explanation — which gives you a solid background — it’s time to move on to the practical steps.
In this Web Angel guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Google’s DMCA Report Tool to report websites that steal your work.
Whether it’s copied text, images, videos, or any other type of copyrighted material, this process lets you file a complaint directly with Google and request removal from search results.
What You’ll Need Before Filing
- The URL of the infringing page (the site that copied your work).
- The URL of your original content (to prove ownership).
- A clear description of the copyrighted work being infringed.
- Your contact information (Google requires this for verification).
Next Step
Up next, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial on submitting your DMCA Removal Request — with screenshots and pro tips to avoid common mistakes.
Important Notes Before Filing a DMCA Report
- Prove original ownership: Only file if you truly own the content. If you’re the copier, your own pages can be removed.
- Humans review your report: Google uses automation + human reviewers. Write clearly and honestly.
- Expect follow-up emails: Google may ask for clarifications or stronger proof of ownership.
- Decisions can be reversed: Removed content may be restored later if new evidence appears.
- Not always a removal: Sometimes Google just re-ranks (your page above the copier).
- Act ethically: Your statements are legal attestations—don’t file fraudulent claims.
- Removals are URL-level: Google removes specific infringing pages, not entire domains.
- Privacy note: Parts of your notice may be shared with the site owner or published on Lumen. Don’t assume anonymity.
- If someone reports you: You’ll see a Search Console message. Fix or file a counter-notice if it’s a mistake.
- Track status: Monitor submissions in your DMCA dashboard.
- Write in clear English: Good grammar speeds up review.
- Timing varies: Reviews can take days to weeks.
- Be precise: Provide exact URLs and side-by-side evidence.
- Strong claims can still be denied: If evidence isn’t sufficient, Google may reject.
- Your reports improve anti-piracy: Human-reviewed cases help refine Google’s systems.
How to Begin (Step-by-Step)
- Sign in to your Google account (Gmail).
- Open the Google DMCA Report Tool (search: “Report a legal removal request – copyright”).
- Choose the product where the copied content appears (e.g., Search, Images, YouTube, Blogger).
- Select the legal issue: “I have found content that may infringe my copyright.”
- Prepare evidence before filling:
- Original content URLs (with first publication date).
- Infringing URLs (each page that copied you).
- Short matching excerpts of copied text.
- Proof of first publication (timestamps, Wayback Machine, CMS logs, file metadata).
- Optional: side-by-side screenshots highlighting copying.
- Fill identity details (legal name, company, email, address).
Note: some details may be shared or published (e.g., Lumen). - Write a clear statement explaining:
- What was copied (text, images, video, etc.).
- Where it was first published.
- Why you are the rights holder (author, licensee, work-for-hire, etc.).
- Make the legal declarations (good-faith, accuracy, authority) and e-sign with your full legal name.
- Submit and track status in your DMCA dashboard. Watch your email for follow-up questions.
- Respond quickly if Google asks for more proof (e.g., drafts, EXIF data, contracts).
Quick Checklist (to Avoid Delays)
- Match each original URL ↔ infringing URL (1:1 mapping is best).
- Use short, exact quotes of copied text (don’t paste entire articles).
- Include first-publish dates and archived snapshots.
- Explain ownership (author, company policy, contractor agreement).
- Stay factual, not emotional.
- Report only the exact copied sections/pages.
As shown in the image below, you should clearly explain the reasoning that proves your claim.
Specify which pages are yours (original content) and which ones are plagiarized.
Keep in mind that for each plagiarized topic, you must fill out a separate form.
For example, if your page X on topic X has been copied by several different websites,
you can enter all of them in the lower box.
However, if you have multiple unrelated topics and each has been copied by others,
you need to provide a separate explanation and proof for each one.
To define a new group, as shown in the image, click the link labeled “Add a new group” under the lower box.
After clicking, a new box — identical to the one in the image — will appear.
In the “Identify and describe the copyrighted work” section,
clearly explain and prove why the URLs you are reporting are plagiarized and why you are the original owner.
Provide Google with clear indicators that make it easier for them to recognize you as the rightful owner of the content.
In the “Where can we see an authorized example of the work” section,
enter the URLs of your own pages that have been copied by others.
(One URL per line).
As mentioned earlier, don’t report multiple unrelated topics in the same group.
In the “Location of infringing material” section,
list the URLs of the plagiarizing websites.
(One URL per line).
Be sure to enter the date in two-digit format
(e.g., 03 instead of 3) and in the Gregorian (AD) calendar.
In your signature, write your first and last name exactly as you entered it at the beginning of the form
(as shown in the first image).
Part of the rules you are agreeing to are ethical obligations.
Failure to follow them may harm your own rankings in Google search results —
some of which were mentioned earlier at the beginning of this tutorial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Google DMCA, Spam & Scam Reporting
1. How do I complain to Google DMCA?
To file a DMCA complaint with Google, you need to submit a formal DMCA takedown notice through Google’s Legal Removal Requests page. You must:
- Identify and describe the copyrighted work
- Provide the infringing URL(s)
- Provide your original authorized URL(s)
- Sign a declaration that the information is accurate and you are the copyright owner
2. How do you report spam to Google?
You can report spam depending on where you find it:
- Search spam: Use the Spam Report Tool
- Gmail spam: Open the email → click ⋮ menu → Report spam
This helps Google filter deceptive websites and protect users from email abuse.
3. How do I report a DMCA violation?
A DMCA violation means your work has been copied without permission. Steps:
- Collect evidence (your original and the infringing URLs)
- Go to Google’s DMCA form
- Fill out and submit the online form
Google will review and remove infringing material from Search, YouTube, Blogger, or Drive if valid.
4. How can I report a scammer on Google?
It depends on the scam:
- Google Search/Maps: Use “Report a Problem” on the listing
- Google Ads: Use the Ad Complaint Form
- Gmail: Click ⋮ and choose Report phishing
Each tool directs reports to the right Google review team.
5. Where to report spam?
- Search: Webspam Report Tool
- Gmail: Mark as spam or phishing
- YouTube: Report via ⋮ menu under videos or comments
- Maps: Flag fake reviews or misleading listings
6. How do I complain about a scammer?
Best steps:
- Identify the platform (Google, email, social, etc.)
- Report directly via platform tools (Spam Report, Phishing Report)
- File a complaint with your local consumer protection agency (FTC, Action Fraud, etc.)
- If you lost money → contact your bank/payment provider immediately
7. Where can I complain about a scammer?
Options include:
- Google platforms: Gmail, Ads, or Maps reporting tools
- National fraud reporting centers:
- U.S.: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- U.K.: Action Fraud
- EU: Contact your national consumer protection agency
- Local police or cybercrime units if financial harm occurred
Always keep screenshots, emails, or receipts as evidence when filing.
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