Disavow Link
Disavowing links is the process of telling Google to ignore specific backlinks to your site when evaluating ranking signals.
Key takeaways
- Disavow is a last resort after link removal outreach fails.
- The disavow file is property-specific in Google Search Console.
- Uploading a new file replaces the old one — always keep a backup.
- Google only processes disavowed links after recrawling the affected pages.
- Third-party toxicity scores are screening signals, not proof of harm.
It is a risk-management tactic for cases where spammy or harmful backlinks could create manual-action or link-spam concerns.
Example: Disavowing a Spammy Link
Imagine you run a gardening blog and discover a backlink from a site selling counterfeit watches. You email the site owner asking for removal, but get no response. You then:
- Export your backlink list from Google Search Console.
- Identify the spammy domain:
counterfeit-watches.example. - Create a plain text file with the line:
domain:counterfeit-watches.example. - Upload the file via Search Console’s Disavow Links tool.
- Wait for Google to recrawl the pages; the link will be ignored in future rankings.
Quick Start: How to Disavow Links in 5 Steps
- Run a backlink audit – Use a tool like Ahrefs or Semrush to identify potentially harmful links.
- Attempt link removal – Contact site owners and request removal. Document your outreach.
- Prepare your disavow file – Create a plain text file (
.txt) with one URL or domain per line. Usedomain:example.comfor entire domains. - Upload to Search Console – Go to the Disavow Links tool, select your property, and upload the file.
- Monitor and update – Keep a backup of your file. If you need to add more links, download the current file, edit it, and re-upload (the new file replaces the old).
How to Judge If a Link Needs Disavowing
- Manual action warning – If Google sends a manual action notice for unnatural links, disavow is often required.
- Spammy or irrelevant sites – Links from sites that are clearly spam, porn, gambling, or unrelated to your niche.
- Paid links that violate Google’s guidelines – If you bought links and cannot remove them.
- Large-scale link schemes – Links from blog networks or automated tools.
- Low-quality directories or link farms – Sites that exist only to pass link equity.
- Links you cannot remove – After genuine outreach attempts fail.
Do NOT disavow based solely on third-party toxicity scores. Google ignores many low-quality links automatically.
Common Mistakes When Disavowing Links
- Disavowing too many links based only on third-party toxicity metrics – Always verify if the link is actually harmful.
- Skipping outreach/removal attempts – Disavow is a last resort, not a first step.
- Uploading to the wrong Search Console property – The file applies only to the selected property.
- Replacing an existing disavow file without saving a backup – You lose the previous list permanently.
- Including nofollow links – Nofollow links don’t pass link equity and generally don’t need disavowing.
- Expecting immediate results – Google processes disavowed links only after recrawling the affected pages.
Next step
FAQ
Should I disavow toxic backlinks?
Only if the backlinks are clearly spammy, manipulative, and you cannot remove them through outreach. Google automatically ignores many toxic links, so disavow is a last resort.
How to use the disavow tool?
Log into Google Search Console, select the property, go to the Disavow Links tool, upload a plain text file listing the URLs or domains you want to disavow.
Related topics
Sources
- Google Search Console Help: Disavow links to your site — Primary source for how the tool works, property scope, and file replacement behavior.
- Google Search Central: Link spam — Best source for Google’s current stance on link spam and when disavow is appropriate.
- Google Search Central: Disavow links — Use for concise operational guidance and warnings about misuse.
- Backly — Disavow Backlinks — Process and when (not) to use Google’s disavow tool.
Reviewed by Lucía Marín, Founding editor.