When you’re building a website, you want it to be a shining example of quality. But sometimes, things happen that are beyond your control, especially when it comes to bad or low quality links pointing to your site. You don’t want to be associated with these links or websites; in fact, you wish you could get rid of them.
That’s where the Google Disavow Tool comes in.
It’s a bit like a digital spring clean, helping you get rid of the unwanted links that could be dragging your site down. But like any powerful tool, it needs to be handled with care. Misuse can cause unexpected problems, so understanding how and when to use it is essential.
This guide will walk you through the process, explaining what the tool does, when it’s necessary, and how to use it effectively to protect your site’s standing with Google.
What Exactly Is Google Disavow Tool?
The Google Disavow Tool is a feature within Google Search Console that allows you to tell Google to ignore certain backlinks to your website. Why would you want to do that? Well, not all links are created equal.
Some can be downright harmful. These harmful links can come from spammy websites, link farms, or sites that have been penalised by Google.
Think of it like this: if your website is a shop, you want good reviews and recommendations. But if someone starts posting negative reviews that are clearly fake or done by spam bots, you’d want to get rid of them.
That’s what the Google Disavow Tool helps you achieve.
When Should I Use The Google Disavow Link Tool?
You might wonder, can’t Google figure out bad links on its own? While Google’s algorithm is smart, it’s not perfect. In such cases, you need to take matters into your own hands, especially if you’ve received a manual penalty or seen a sudden drop in your website’s rankings due to negative SEO attacks.
Using the Google disavow link tool when:
Received a Manual Penalty: Google has directly told you that you have unnatural links.
Experienced a Sudden Drop in Rankings: This could indicate an algorithmic penalty due to bad links.
Conducted a link audit and Found Harmful Links: You’ve identified links that could damage your site.
How To Use The Google Disavow Tool: A Step-By-Step Guide
Now, let’s get down to the practical part: how to use the Google Disavow Tool. While straightforward, this process requires a methodical approach to avoid inadvertent harm to your site. We’ll break down each stage, offering clear instructions to help you navigate this important aspect of website maintenance.
1. Conduct A Thorough Link Audit
First, you need a full picture of your website’s backlink profile. Start by gathering data from sources like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. These tools provide comprehensive lists of websites linking to yours.
Once you have your site’s backlink profile, assess each link for its quality. Look for characteristics common to poor sites, such as irrelevant content, excessive advertising, or association with known spam networks.
Pay close attention to the anchor text used in these links; an unnatural concentration of keywords within anchor text can signal manipulative link building, which Google views negatively.
2. Attempt To Remove Links Manually
Using Google’s disavow tool should be the last resort, so it’s always best to contact the website owners and request the removal of the problematic links.
Maintain detailed records of your communication, including copies of emails and dates of contact. This documentation serves as proof that you have made reasonable efforts to address the issue.
It also shows Google that disavowing is a last resort, taken only after other avenues have been exhausted.
3. Create A Disavow File
If your attempts at manual link removal prove unsuccessful, you will need to create a disavow file. This is a straightforward text file, saved with a “.txt” extension. Within this file, you will list the specific URLs or entire domains that you wish Google to disregard. Each URL or domain must be placed on a separate line.
To disavow an entire domain, you must precede it with the “domain:” prefix. For instance, you would write “domain:spammywebsite.com”.
Additionally, you have the option to include comments within the file, providing context for each disavowal. To add a comment, begin the line with a hash symbol (#). For example, you might write:
# Contacted owner, no response.
domain:badsite.com
http://spamlink.com/page1
This file serves as your explicit instruction manual to Google, indicating precisely which links they should ignore when assessing your website’s link profile.
4. Upload The Disavow File
Once your disavow file is prepared, you’ll need to submit it through Google Search Console. Navigate to the Google Disavow Tool page within your Search Console account and select the appropriate website for which you are managing backlinks.
Then, proceed to upload the text file containing your list of URLs and domains. Following the upload, Google will begin processing the file, but it’s important to understand that changes do not occur instantly. The processing time can vary, so don’t worry if changes aren’t immediate.
5. Monitor Your Website
After submitting your disavow file, it is important to observe your website’s performance. Pay close attention to changes in your website’s search rankings and traffic patterns. Consistent monitoring will help you determine if the disavowals have had the desired effect.
In addition, routine backlink audits remain necessary. These audits allow you to identify any new harmful links that may have appeared since your previous audit. It is important to avoid uploading a new disavow file without a valid reason.
Remember, excessive use of the disavow tool can have unintended consequences. Therefore, it is best to update the file only when new, problematic links are found.
Is Google’s Disavow Tool A Guarantee?
It’s important to clarify that using Google’s Disavow Tool does not provide an absolute guarantee that Google will disregard every link you submit.
The tool functions as a suggestion, informing Google of links you believe should be ignored. While Google generally processes these disavow files, the final decision remains with their algorithms. Google’s systems are designed to assess link quality, and in many instances, they can automatically identify and disregard spammy or low-quality links.
Therefore, the Disavow Tool is most effective when addressing manual penalties or a large volume of harmful links that might escape Google’s automatic detection.
Harmful Links To Disavow: What To Look Out For
Knowing which links to identify and disavow is key to proactive website management. Here are the common types of harmful links you should be aware of:
Spammy Directory Links
These directories often resemble outdated online phone books, listing countless websites with minimal organisation or quality control. They provide users with little to no genuine value and are frequently associated with link schemes intended to manipulate search rankings.
If your site appears in such directories, it’s advisable to disavow those links. This action helps to distance your website from any perceived association with these low-quality listings, safeguarding your site’s reputation.
Example: A directory site featuring hundreds of unrelated links, lacking any discernible theme or editorial oversight, and containing very little original content.
Link Farms And Private Blog Networks (PBNs)
These networks are specifically created to artificially boost search rankings by exchanging links. They consist of websites with generally poor-quality content that exist primarily to pass on “link juice” and manipulate search algorithms.
Links from these networks should immediately be disavowed.
Example: A network of blogs populated with generic, automatically generated, or “spun” content, all interconnected and linking to each other in an unnatural pattern.
Hacked Websites Links
Websites can fall victim to hacking, leading to the insertion of malicious links. If you observe links originating from websites that appear compromised or exhibit unusual content, it is important to disavow them.
This action protects your site from the potential negative impact of being associated with compromised online resources.
Example: a well-established website that has had a random, irrelevant link, such as a gambling link, inserted into its footer or sidebar without the owner’s knowledge.
Over-Optimised Anchor Text
An excessive number of websites linking to your site using identical, keyword-rich anchor text can appear unnatural and manipulative to search engines. While it’s good to have optimised anchor text, a large volume of them is bad for your site’s authority.
Example: Hundreds of links using the exact phrase “buy cheap widgets” as the anchor text, all directing to your website that sells widgets.
Irrelevant Websites Links
Links should always be relevant to your website’s content. A link from a gardening website to a tech website seems really out of place.
Disavowing links from irrelevant websites helps maintain the thematic consistency of your link profile.
Example: A fashion blog providing a link to a website specialising in selling industrial machinery demonstrates a clear lack of relevance.
Foreign Language Spam Sites
Websites made for the sole purpose of spamming and in a language that is not relevant to your target audience are harmful. These links are easily identified and should be disavowed.
Example: A website in Russian that links to an English-speaking website that sells plumbing tools.
Conclusion On How To Use Google Disavow Tool
The Google Disavow Tool is a valuable tool in your website maintenance toolkit. By understanding how to identify and disavow harmful links, you take proactive steps to protect your site’s reputation and search engine ranking.
However, even with a clean link profile, achieving optimal SEO results requires a comprehensive strategy. So, if you’re looking to elevate your website’s performance and achieve higher rankings, consider partnering with the experts at Best SEO.
We offer comprehensive SEO services, including in-depth link audits, strategic link building, and tailored SEO solutions designed to maximise your online visibility. We guarantee page 1 rankings on Google within 90 days. Don’t believe us?
Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with us to learn how the best marketing agency in Singapore can deliver guaranteed results!
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Use Google Disavow Tool
What Happens If I Disavow Good Links?
Disavowing good links can negatively impact your site’s rankings, as you’re telling Google to ignore valuable authority signals.
Is There A Limit To How Many Links I Can Disavow?
While there is no hard limit, excessive disavowing can raise red flags, and Google recommends using the tool only when absolutely necessary.
Are Disavowed Links Completely Removed From Google’s Index?
No. Disavowing tells Google to disregard the links when evaluating your site; it does not remove them from the web.
How Often Should I Revisit My Disavow File?
You should revisit your disavow file periodically, especially after link audits, to add or remove links as needed.
How Long Does It Take For Google To Process A Disavow File?
The processing time can vary, and changes may take several weeks to reflect in Google’s search results.
What Is The Difference Between A Manual And Algorithmic Penalty, And How Does It Affect Disavowing?
A manual penalty is a direct action by Google staff, requiring disavowing to recover. Google’s algorithms cause an algorithmic penalty, and disavowing may help but is not always required.
