Disavow tool
What is a disavow tool?
The disavow tool is a Google Search Console feature that lets you upload a list of links or domains you want Google to ignore when it assesses your site. Google introduced it in 2012. It is meant for links you cannot get removed that are part of a link scheme, and Google says most sites will never need it.
You upload a plain text file, encoded in UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII, with one URL or one `domain:` entry per line and optional comment lines starting with `#`. Disavowing is a strong suggestion rather than an instant switch: Google needs to recrawl the linking pages before the change takes effect, which can take weeks. Uploading a new file replaces the old one, so always keep the full list.
Why disavow tool matters for SEO
Google’s own guidance is that you should disavow only if you have a large number of spammy, artificial or low-quality links pointing to your site, and those links have caused a manual action, or you are confident they will. In most cases, Google says, it can work out which links to trust without your help.
Using the tool carelessly can do more harm than good. Disavowing good links removes their value, and Google labels it an advanced feature to use with caution. It is also not a fix for ranking drops caused by content quality or core updates.
How to disavow links
- Confirm you need to. Check for a manual action for unnatural links in Search Console, or a known history of bought or schemed links.
- Try to get the bad links removed first by contacting site owners. Record what you tried, especially if you will file a reconsideration request.
- Build the file: one URL or `domain:example.com` per line. Use domain entries for sites where every link is bad.
- Open the disavow links tool for your Search Console property, select the property and upload the file.
- If you had a manual action, file a reconsideration request explaining what you removed and disavowed.
- Keep the file. To change it later, edit and re-upload the complete list.
Disavow tool example
# Paid links from a 2021 campaign, removal requests ignored
domain:spammy-network-example.com
domain:cheap-links-example.net
# Single pages we could not get changed
https://blog.example.org/sponsored-post-2021/Disavow tool FAQ
Do I need to disavow spam links?
Probably not. Google says most sites do not need the disavow tool, because it already ignores most spammy links. It is for manual actions and link schemes you cannot undo.
How long does a disavow take to work?
Google processes the file as it recrawls the linking pages, which can take several weeks or longer.
Can disavowing hurt my rankings?
Yes, if you disavow links that were helping you. Google treats disavowed links as if they do not count, so be sure before you add good domains.
Related SEO terms
Toxic backlinks are low-quality or manipulative links to your site. Google ignores most of them; only links from schemes you built tend to need action.
Manual action (Google penalty)
A manual action is a penalty a Google reviewer applies when a site breaks its spam policies, demoting or removing pages until the issue is fixed.
Link schemesBlack hat
A link scheme is any attempt to create links mainly to manipulate rankings, such as buying, swapping or automating links, which is Google’s link spam.
A reconsideration request asks Google to review a site after you fix the issue behind a manual action, so the action can be lifted.
Google penalty recovery is the process of finding and fixing spam policy breaches so a site regains rankings after a manual action or demotion.
Google Search Console is Google’s free tool that shows how your site performs in Google Search and flags indexing, security and spam problems.