how to identify a Google penalised web site?

does a pr below 4 always means penalty?

[asomani]

I am sorry if this question was already answered?

I get several RFP every day. Sometimes, it is a new site, sometimes it is a two month old site, also sometimes there is a 7 year old site.

Now, with a new site, if the pr is zero or even grey, there is nothing to worry. But I came across a site that is several years old and the PR is ONE. Without asking the client, how do i know whether the site is suffering from a penalty?

When I sign a SEO contract with a client, I strictly mention that the client will not participate in link farms, will not use hidden text or hidden links etc to be sure that he will not spoil my ethical seo work even by mistake.

I do not want to get involved with a web site that is already suffering a penalty. Does a web site with a google pr <4 ,eg, 1 always means a penalty? Please advise.

[Skylo]

"Does a web site with a google pr <4 ,eg, 1 always means a penalty"

Hi Asomani, not at all. That would mean there would be a lot of sites(possibly majority) with a penalty. Even an old site. Maybe they have never given thought to a link campaign. They could maybe have hidden text!

Iguess your best bet would just do what you might have already done. Check the sites source thoroughly for dodgy stuff. Maybe research from the client who their previous SEO company was.

Good luck:-)