Google Recommends Using Disavow Links If You’re Unsure
Google’s John Mueller explained that most websites don’t need to use the disavow tool. However, if there’s uncertainty about potentially harmful links, using it can be a reasonable precaution.
Mueller responded to a question about the Disavow Tool from someone concerned about a consistent flow of links appearing to point toward a website. According to the person asking the question, around 50 links per week were being generated, but they actually redirected to another page instead of directly linking to the client’s site.
In this situation, there isn’t technically a direct link from the spam website to the client’s site.
What may be happening is one of several possible techniques:
- The spam site could be linking to an internal tracking URL first.
- It might use JavaScript to modify the link destination.
- It could rely on a link wrapper to redirect traffic.
In all of these cases, there is no direct hyperlink pointing to the target website.
However, another possibility is that the spam site is cloaking its content for Googlebot and displaying an actual link only to search engines. If that’s happening, the concern about potential negative SEO becomes more understandable. This uncertainty is likely why the SEO asked Mueller whether those domains should be added to a disavow file.
The person asked Mueller the following question (with the spam URL removed):
“@johnmu.com
I know you’re not a fan of disavow files, but bear with me. A client is getting about 50 links/week redirecting to this kind of page a week. Should I include them in a disavow file, or nah? They technically don’t link to the site.”
If You’re Unsure, Using Disavow Is Acceptable
Mueller didn’t directly address the technical question about whether Google could detect the links. Instead, he acknowledged that the SEO felt uncertain and wanted reassurance.
He replied:
“If you’re conflicted and just want to be sure, it’s totally fine to set up & use disavow files. If you notice that the bulk of the problems are from a few TLDs, you can also disavow the whole TLD. The disavow file is a tool, not a religion :-). Most sites don’t need it, but that’s not all sites.”
In other words, while most websites don’t need to rely on the disavow tool, it can still be useful when there is doubt. If something seems suspicious and you want extra reassurance, submitting a disavow file can be a practical “better safe than sorry” approach.
FAQs
What is the disavow links tool in SEO?
The disavow links tool allows website owners to tell Google that they do not want certain backlinks to be considered when evaluating their website. It is commonly used to prevent harmful or spammy links from affecting search rankings.
When should you use the disavow links tool?
The disavow tool should be used when a website has a significant number of low-quality, spammy, or unnatural backlinks that may harm its search performance. It is typically recommended when manual link removal is not possible.
How does disavowing links affect SEO performance?
Disavowing links can help protect a website from negative SEO or poor-quality backlinks by preventing search engines from considering those links as ranking signals.
Is it safe to disavow backlinks without checking them?
It is generally recommended to review backlinks carefully before disavowing them. Disavowing high-quality or relevant links by mistake could negatively impact a website’s authority and rankings.
Where can website owners submit a disavow file?
Website owners can submit a disavow file through Google Search Console using the disavow links tool, which allows them to upload a list of domains or URLs they want search engines to ignore.
What format should a disavow file follow?
A disavow file is usually a simple text file containing URLs or domains that should be ignored. Each entry should be placed on a separate line, and domains can be disavowed using the “domain:” prefix.
Can disavowing links improve website rankings?
Disavowing links does not directly improve rankings, but it can help remove harmful link signals that may be negatively affecting a website’s SEO performance.
How long does it take for Google to process disavowed links?
After submitting a disavow file, it may take several weeks for Google to recrawl the affected links and update how they influence the website’s ranking signals.
Should every website use the disavow tool regularly?
No, most websites do not need to use the disavow tool regularly. It is primarily intended for websites that have experienced spammy link issues or manual penalties.
What is the difference between removing a backlink and disavowing it?
Removing a backlink means asking the linking website to delete the link, while disavowing a link tells search engines to ignore it if removal is not possible.
