Google disavow file: complete guide to creating

One of the questions that an SEO expert asks himself already in the first SEO strategy phase is whether and when to compile the disavow file.

The Google Disavow file is a fundamental tool for those involved in digital marketing and SEO. It allows you to report backlinks that you believe to be harmful or low-quality to Google, so that they are ignored by the search engine algorithm. But what exactly is the disavow file , how does it work, and above all, how can you create it? In this article, we will explore all these aspects in depth.

Table of Contents

• What is the Google disavow file?
• Why is the disavow file important?
• How to create disavow file
• Example of a disavow file
• Disavow Backlinks and final considerations
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Google disavow file?

A disavow file is a text file that can be uploaded via Google Search Console to tell Google to ignore specific backlinks pointing to your website. This tool was introduced by Google in 2012 in response to growing concerns about negative SEO , a practice where competitors try to lower a site’s ranking by bombarding it with low-quality or toxic links .

These malicious links can come from spam websites, paid link networks, or other untrustworthy sources. Without the disavow tool , such links could negatively impact the site’s backlink profile , lowering its ranking in search engine results .

Why is the disavow file important?

Using the disavow tool is crucial to maintaining a clean backlink profile and safeguarding your website’s rankings. When Google detects bad backlinks , it can penalize your site, reducing its visibility in search results. While Google is smart enough to ignore many low-quality links , some can still slip through the cracks and hurt your SEO.

The disavow file allows you to manually reject backlinks that you consider dangerous. This tool should be used with caution, as excluding bad backlinks could have a negative impact on SEO . Therefore, it is advisable to perform a thorough backlink audit before proceeding .

How to create disavow file

Creating a disavow file is a fairly simple process, but it does require attention and precision. Here is a detailed guide on how to proceed:

1. Backlink Analysis
   First of all, you need to identify the backlinks that can be harmful to your site. This can be done using various backlink analysis tools , such as Ahrefs, SEMrush or Moz. These tools provide a complete overview of your site’s backlink profile , highlighting toxic or suspicious links.
2. Creating a Text File
   Once you have identified the bad backlinks , the next step is to create a text file (.txt) that includes the URLs or domains you want to disavow. This is essentially a list of disavow links. Each backlink should be placed on a separate line. If you want to disavow an entire domain, you can use the prefix “domain:” followed by the domain name (e.g. domain
   .com). It is important to note that each line should contain only one URL or domain.
3. Uploading the disavow file
   After creating the file, the next step is to upload the file to Google Search Console using the disavow link tool. Go to the “ Disavow links ” section and upload the file you just created. Once uploaded, Google will start ignoring the backlinks listed in the file.
4. Monitoring and updating
   After uploading the disavow file , it is important to monitor the results over time. You can do this via Google Search Console and other SEO analysis tools. If you notice additional malicious links , you can update the file and re-upload it. Keep in mind that the disavow process can take several weeks to take effect, meaning that the indicated backlinks will be ignored by Google.

Example of a disavow file

Here is an example of a disavow .txt file:

https://www.example1.com
https://www.example2.com
https://www.example3.com

In this example, the disavow file contains three website URLs that the website owner does not want Google to consider when evaluating their website.

Here’s another, more detailed example:

# Disavow file for the website www.mydomain.it

# Links to low quality websites

https://www.example1.com/harmful-category/ 
https://www.example2.com/spam-page/ 
https://www.example3.com/harmful-content/

# Links to websites with malicious content

https://www.example4.com/page-with-virus/
https://www.example5.com/page-with-malware/
https://www.example6.com/page-with-illegal-content/

# Link a siti web che sono stati penalizzati dai motori di ricercaLinks to websites that have been penalized by search engines
https://www.example7.com/penalized-for-spam/
https://www.example8.com/penalized-for-repeated-content/
https://www.example9.com/penalized-for-bad-links/

In this example, the disavow file contains links to websites that have been identified as harmful to the website www.mydomain.com. The links have been classified based on the type of damage they can cause: low quality, harmful content, or penalization by search engines.

Disavow Backlinks and final considerations

The disavow tool is a powerful tool that can protect your website from unwanted backlinks and improve its position in search results. However, it should be used with caution and only after conducting a thorough backlink audit . Ignoring malicious links could cost you a lot in terms of visibility, while improper use of the disavow file could cause your site to lose useful links .

Remember that not all low-quality links need to be disavowed, as Google can filter out many of them automatically. However, if you are facing a negative SEO attack or notice a significant drop in rankings, using the disavow tool may be the right solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is disavow file?
   It is a text file used to ask Google to ignore specific malicious or unwanted backlinks .
2. When should I use the disavow tool?
   When you notice an increase in bad links or if you suspect a negative SEO attack .
3. Can I remove individual URLs with the disavow file?
   Yes, you can specify individual URLs or entire domains to ignore.
4. How do I upload a disavow file to Google?
   The file can be uploaded via the Google Search Console , in the “Disavow Links” section.
5. How long does it take for Google to ignore links?
   The process can take several weeks, depending on how often your site is crawled.
6. Can I update an existing disavow file?
   Yes, you can update and re-upload the file whenever you identify new backlinks to disavow.
7. What happens if I disown a useful link?
   The site could lose a valuable backlink , negatively impacting the ranking.
8. What tools can I use to identify bad backlinks?
   Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and Google Search Console are some of the most popular.
9. What are toxic links?
   These are backlinks from spam or untrustworthy sites that can damage a site’s SEO.
10. Is the disavow tool necessary for all sites?
    Not always. It is mainly recommended for sites with problematic or suspicious backlinks .