Glossary
What does disavow mean in SEO?
To disavow links is to ask Google, through a file uploaded in Search Console, to ignore specific links or whole domains pointing to your site. Google describes it as an advanced feature for sites with many spammy, artificial links that have caused or could cause a manual action. Most sites never need it.
How it works
You create a plain text file listing URLs or domains, one per line (domain:spam-example.com for a whole domain), and upload it in Search Console's disavow tool for your property. Google then treats those links like nofollow links. Uploading a new file replaces the old one.
When to use it
- You received a manual action for unnatural links and couldn't get the links removed.
- You bought links, used a private blog network or ran a link scheme and want to clean it up.
When not to
- Because an SEO tool scored some links as toxic.
- To clean up random spam you didn't build.
- As routine maintenance.
Disavowing good links by mistake removes value that was helping you rank.
Example
A site gets a manual action after a previous agency bought 400 links. The owner asks sites to remove links, gets 60 removed, disavows the remaining domains, documents it all and files a reconsideration request. The action is lifted a few weeks later.
FAQ
Does disavowing work instantly?
No. Google processes it as it recrawls the links, which can take weeks.
Can I undo a disavow?
Yes, by uploading a new file without those entries; it takes time to reprocess.
Does Bing have a disavow tool?
Yes, Bing Webmaster Tools has one.