Have strange Japanese content taken over your website’s search results? You’re not alone. Thousands of WordPress sites fall victim to what’s called the Japanese Keyword Hack—a form of SEO spam that can quietly infect your website, damage your reputation, and wreck your SEO rankings.
In this guide, we’ll explain what the Japanese keyword hack is, how to identify if you’re affected, and most importantly, how to remove it completely and prevent future attacks.
What Is the Japanese Keyword Hack?
The Japanese Keyword Hack, sometimes called Japanese SEO Spam, is a black hat SEO attack where hackers insert Japanese language keywords and spammy pages into your website. These pages often promote fake online stores selling counterfeit products like fashion, ayurveda, shoes, bags, and watches.
The goal? To hijack your website’s domain authority and use it to rank malicious or irrelevant Japanese content on Google.
These fake pages are often created in large volumes and hidden from the site owner. They can:
- Inject code into core WordPress files
- Modify your .htaccess file to redirect traffic
- Add new (hidden) users to your admin
- Create thousands of pages that appear only in search engines
How Do You Know If Your Site Is Infected?
If your website has been affected by this SEO spam attack, you’ll likely notice one or more of the following:
1. Japanese Search Snippets
Search your site on Google using:
site:yourwebsite.com
If you see results in Japanese or unfamiliar product listings, that’s a red flag.
2. Strange Pages in Google Search Console
Your GSC might show a spike in indexed pages that you never created. These pages might have weird titles like:
- bash
- CopyEdit
- ナイキの靴をオンラインで購入する – yourwebsite.com/cheap-nike-sale
3. Unauthorized Admin Users
Check your WordPress user list. Hackers often create hidden admin-level users to maintain backdoor access.
4. Redirects to Japanese Domains
Some visitors might be redirected to shady Japanese e-commerce websites.
5. Warnings in GSC
If Google flags your site for spam or shows a “Manual Action,” it’s a serious SEO penalty.
Why This Attack Is Dangerous
- Destroys SEO Rankings: Google may deindex your site or penalize it.
- Ruins Brand Reputation: Visitors may associate your brand with spam or malware.
- Hurts Conversions & Traffic: You lose genuine traffic, and conversion rates drop.
- Backdoors Remain: Even if you remove visible symptoms, hackers may have left hidden access points.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix Japanese Keyword Hack
Step 1: Take a Full Backup
Before you do anything, take a complete backup of your website files and database. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or a hosting-based backup tool.
Step 2: Scan Your Website for Malware
Use a trusted malware scanner like:
- MalCare: Ideal for WordPress users, offers deep scanning
- Wordfence: Real-time scanner and firewall
- Sucuri: Offers server-side scanning and alerts
These tools will help identify:
- Infected files
- Spammy pages
- Unusual scripts
- Database injections
Step 3: Identify the Entry Point
Most attackers exploit:
- Outdated plugins/themes
- Poorly secured admin accounts
- Insecure file permissions
- Vulnerabilities in XML-RPC or REST API
Look at recent file changes or logs to trace how they got in.
Step 4: Remove Spammy Pages and Links
You can remove spam pages in one of two ways:
A. Manually via File Manager or FTP
- Check for unknown .php, .html, or .txt files inside /wp-content/, /uploads/, and /themes/.
- Look for base64-encoded code or strange filenames like abc123.php.
B. Use a Security Plugin
MalCare, Sucuri, or Wordfence can clean most of this automatically.
Step 5: Check Your Database
Use phpMyAdmin to explore these tables:
- wp_posts: Check for Japanese content
- wp_options: Look for unknown scripts or entries
- wp_users: Delete unauthorized users
- wp_usermeta: Remove admin capabilities from unknown users
Step 6: Clean or Replace Core Files
Replace the following folders with fresh WordPress files:
- /wp-admin
- /wp-includes
Also reinstall your current theme and plugins from scratch if they show signs of being tampered with.
Step 7: Fix the .htaccess File
Many hackers modify .htaccess to create redirects. Restore it to default or regenerate it via WordPress Admin > Settings > Permalinks > Save Changes.
Step 8: Secure Your Google Search Console
- Remove unauthorized GSC users
- Revalidate ownership
- Submit sitemap again
- Use URL Removal Tool to deindex spam URLs
Step 9: Request Google Review (If Penalized)
If your site was hit with a manual action, file a Reconsideration Request with proof that:
- The hack is fixed
- The spammy content was removed
- Security is improved
How to Prevent Future SEO Spam Attacks
1. Keep Everything Updated
Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes regularly.
2. Use Strong Passwords
Use a password manager to generate strong passwords and enforce 2FA for all users.
3. Install a Security Plugin
We recommend one of the following:
- MalCare (auto clean + firewall)
- Wordfence (malware scanning + login protection)
- iThemes Security (file monitoring + brute force protection)
4. Limit Admin Access
Only give admin access to trusted users. Use “Editor” roles wherever possible.
5. Regular Backups
Schedule automatic daily backups and store them offsite (Google Drive, Dropbox).
How Long Will It Take to Recover Japanese Keywords Hack?
- Short-term fixes (malware removal): Within 1–2 days
- Google reindexing: 1 to 4 weeks
- Manual penalties: Can take up to 2 months to reverse after review
Recovery is possible with thorough cleaning, consistent monitoring, and security hardening.
Final Thoughts
The Japanese Keyword Hack is one of the more aggressive and deceptive types of SEO spam. It’s damaging, persistent, and often goes unnoticed for weeks or months. The sooner you detect and fix it, the better your chances of saving your site’s reputation and rankings.
At Growth Accelerators, we help businesses protect their websites from hidden threats like these. Whether you need a full malware cleanup or ongoing technical SEO support, our team can help you keep your website fast, secure, and clean.
About Growth Accelerators
Growth Accelerators is a trusted SEO outsourcing company based in India, working with small businesses to deliver transparent, data-driven search engine optimization strategies. With over 15 years of digital marketing experience, our team is equipped to help you navigate today’s evolving search landscape, including AI-led search platforms.
To explore how we can support your SEO goals, feel free to reach out to us at monisha@groacc.com
