[Video] Matt Cutts: Why aren't penalized sites notified in Webmaster Tools?

• Google does notify you on some occasions through Webmaster tools, but not for all reasons.
• If Google thinks your website is hacked, or might possibly get hacked, hidden text, and even if you have old analytics code on your website, they will notify you.
• Google cannot send it to all sites, and all warnings, but they try their best.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXaJ2u3Y9js[/YOUTUBE]

How is a "hidden text" penalty one of the good guys?

Not saying it is in the good guys, but it is something that they would notify you via your Webmaster Tools

Cutts differentiates between good guys and bad guys in the videos. He says they'll notify the good guys but not the bad guiys because that will tip them off. hence my question: Shouldn't hiding text be categorized as something one of the bad guys would do?

I agree - hidden text sounds like a "bad guy" strategy, in the sense that it's not likely accidental. There must be much more to the criteria of being a bad guy.

it's a 'per issue' thing.

using <h1>title</h1> with a background image and anegative left margin off screen is technically hidden text, but accessible.

is that ok?

what about white text on a white background?

there's a bunch of scenerios