Disavow Tool
The Disavow Links tool is a feature in Google Search Console that lets you ask Google to ignore specific backlinks or entire domains pointing to your website when assessing it. It is designed for cleaning up manipulative links that you cannot remove yourself.
When to use the disavow tool
Google recommends disavowing only when:
- You have a manual action for unnatural links in Google Search Console, or
- You know there are many spammy, artificial or low-quality links pointing to your site that you or someone acting for you created (such as bought links or link scheme participation), and you believe they are causing, or likely to cause, problems.
When not to use it
- For ordinary spam links you did not build. Google already ignores most of them.
- Because a tool labels links “toxic” without evidence of real harm (Toxic Backlinks).
- As a routine monthly task. For most websites, the disavow tool is never needed.
- To fix ranking drops that have other causes, such as content quality or technical issues.
Misusing the tool can remove the benefit of good links and harm your rankings.
How to create a disavow file
The file is a plain text (.txt) file encoded in UTF-8, with one entry per line:
- To disavow a whole domain: domain:spammy-example.com
- To disavow a single URL: https://spammy-example.com/page-with-link/
- Lines starting with # are comments, useful for notes.
Disavowing at domain level is usually safer, because spam sites often link from many URLs.
How to submit the file
- Open Google’s disavow links tool page while logged into Search Console.
- Select the correct property. Domain properties and URL-prefix properties are handled separately in some cases, so check you choose the right one.
- Upload your .txt file.
- Each new upload replaces the previous file, so always include all entries you want to keep.
What happens after submitting
Google processes the file as it recrawls the linked pages, which can take weeks or months. There is no confirmation of individual links. If you are recovering from a manual action, also remove as many links as possible manually, document your work and submit a reconsideration request.
Before you disavow: try removal first
For links you arranged or paid for, contact the site owners and ask for removal or for the links to be marked with rel=”sponsored” or “nofollow” (Nofollow, Sponsored and UGC Links). Keep a record of your outreach. Google expects genuine clean-up efforts when you face a manual action.
Reviewing an existing disavow file
If you inherited a site with a disavow file, download and review it. Old files sometimes contain good domains disavowed by mistake, often after overzealous tool-based audits. Removing those entries can restore their value.
Bing’s disavow tool
Bing Webmaster Tools also has a disavow feature. The same principles apply: use it sparingly and only for clearly manipulative links.
Disavowing is a last resort, not a growth tactic. The best long-term protection is a natural link profile built through White Hat SEO and genuine Link Building.
Further reading: Google’s help page on disavowing links.
Key Takeaways
- The disavow tool asks Google to ignore specific links or domains.
- Use it mainly for manual actions or links you know were manipulative.
- Most websites never need it.
- Each upload replaces the previous file.
- Try removing bad links first and keep records.
Related Terms
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