If you have paid anyone for your links, outsourced your web page optimization or done anything that is not under the typical strategies and practices of SEO for your site, you may have acquired some backlinks to your site that you do not want. These may include Spam Links or x-rated sites which link back to your site. The disavow tool allows the web administrator to have a limited control over these backlinks. And while this tool is effective in helping you with such issues, there are many things to understand about Google’s Disavow tool. Here are 7 things you may not know about Google’s Disavow tool.
Now that we’ve established the circumstances warranting the use of the Google Disavow Tool, let’s walk through the process of wielding this tool effectively:
Accessing the Disavow Tool in Google Search Console
Log in to your Google Search Console account.
Select the property (website) for which you want to disavow links.
In the left-hand menu, click on “Security & Manual Actions.”
Choose “Disavow Links.”
Uploading a Disavow File: Supported File Types and Formatting
Create a text file (.txt) containing the URLs or domains you want to disavow.
Use the “domain:” prefix for disavowing entire domains.
Each URL or domain should be on a new line.
Add comments using the “#” symbol to explain your disavow decisions.
Best Practices for Documenting and Submitting Disavow Requests
Keep a record of why you chose to disavow specific links.
Include any communication or attempts made to remove harmful links.
Click on the “Choose File” button to upload your prepared disavow file.
Confirm your choices and submit the disavowal request.
By following these steps, you’re effectively communicating to Google which links to discount when evaluating your site’s authority. However, successful disavowal decisions require more than just a technical process; you need to make informed judgments.
Disavowing links is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To make effective disavowal decisions, consider the following tips:
Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to analyze the quality of backlinks.
Distinguish between low-quality links and genuinely harmful ones.
Understand the potential impact of disavowing certain links on your overall link profile.
Balance the short-term gains with long-term SEO goals.
Schedule regular reviews of your link profile.
Update your disavow file as needed based on changes in your backlink profile.
Making informed decisions during the disavowal process is crucial for maintaining a healthy link profile and safeguarding your site’s SEO performance. However, even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen. Let’s explore common pitfalls to avoid.
The disavow tool adds the equivalent of an invisible tag to the backlinks. This is not to say that the links get deleted or that they are not there. The links are still present in your webmaster tools the same as your WMTs are present. However, the disavowed links are given a do not follow tag. This means that the next time Google crawls for your site these invisible backlinks will be ignored. They are not deleted, they are simply passed over.
There is somewhat of a size restriction to the disavow tool Granted, most of the backlinks that you will want to avoid will be way under the limit, it does benefit you to understand that if the link goes over 2 megabytes that you may have issues in getting it disavowed. Again, this is the equivalent of 1000 typed pages so you should be ok.
If you understand how comments work in HTML and in scripting then you will understand how the comments in the disavow tool work. Where it would appear that these “comments” are looked over by the webspam team, they are not. These comments are set up like the comment section in your HTML. It is there to help you out in your organization. That is it. No one will read the comments and so filling up the comment section with your grievances will not do any good to getting a link disavowed or any further actions to take place.
No followed links do not carry PageRank status. As the disavowed links are treated in much the same way as NoFollow links then it is a bit redundant to post them as links to disavow. Yes, you can add them in there if you want to have that extra bit of assurance, but in all reality you are just adding a nofollow to a link that is already labeled as nofollow
If you disavow a link you can go back and change your mind about the link if you so choose. Now, if a link has been determined by Google to be a harmful link then to reavow the link can cause harm to your site. This is why Google gives you a very strict warning before you use the tool. Only disavow links that you are certain you do not want backlinking your site.
Depending on how you have your 301 redirects, your site could transfer over the disavowed links. This is due to the redirect transferring all the data. As Google would treat the second site as a web page of its own, then the bad backlinking would follow you to that site and you would need to use the disavow tool again to block those backlinks.
Where disavowed links used it is not sending the information to the webmaster as spam. That is a different process altogether. Currently the disavow tool just keeps the backlinks from being associated with your site. However, keep in mind that Google may implement this in the future. If you want to report a site as spam you would need to send a notice to Google specifically addressing that issue. Disavow does not have anything to do with such.
Backlinking is an essential part of SEO and should be reviewed on a normal basis. Where you can use the disavow tool to remove a backlink, you can also ask the site backlinking to remove it on their end. Remember that the disavow tool should be used only if you receive a notification from google of unusual backlinking and activity. Most people will not need to use the tool and if you have not been prompted to use the tool it is best to leave it alone.
In conclusion, the Google Disavow Tool is a valuable resource in your SEO toolkit, but its effective use requires careful consideration and strategic planning. By understanding when to deploy the tool, following a meticulous disavowal process, avoiding common pitfalls, and implementing advanced strategies, you can safeguard your site’s link profile and maintain a strong online presence.
Remember, SEO is an ongoing journey, and staying informed about industry changes and evolving your strategies is key to long-term success. If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the SEO community or consult with professionals who specialize in search engine optimization.
What is the Google Disavow tool?
The Google Disavow tool is a feature within Google Search Console that allows website owners to ask Google not to take certain links pointing to their site into account when assessing their site’s link profile. It is primarily used to address unnatural links that may be causing harm to your site’s SEO.
When should I use the Disavow tool?
You should consider using the Disavow tool when you have a significant number of bad links or spammy links pointing to your site, which can harm your site’s search results. If you suspect that your site has been involved in link schemes or has accumulated a large number of low-quality links, it may be necessary to create a disavow file and submit it.
How do I create a Disavow file?
To create a Disavow file, you need to compile a list of links pointing to your site that you want to disavow. You can use tools like Google Analytics, Google Webmaster or backlink audit tools to identify these links. Once you have the list, you need to put it into a text file format with one URL per line.
How do I submit a Disavow file?
You can submit a Disavow file through Google Search Console. After logging into your account, navigate to the Disavow links tool and follow the instructions to upload your Disavow file. It’s important to review your disavow list carefully before submitting it, as it can impact your site’s link profile.
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