By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 2026 | 6 min read
Short answer: Most sites do not need the disavow tool. Google says to use it only if you have a large number of spammy or paid links that you could not remove, and those links caused or are likely to cause a manual action. For normal low-quality links, do nothing.
In this guide: What it does | When to use it | When not to | How to prepare a file | Mistakes | FAQ
The disavow tool asks Google to ignore certain links pointing to your site. It is an advanced tool, and using it wrongly can hurt you.
If you are unsure about your link profile, my link building service starts with a backlink review.
What the tool does
You upload a text file listing URLs or domains. Google treats those links as if they do not exist when assessing your site. It does not remove the links from the web.
When to use it
- You have a manual action for unnatural links
- You have a large number of spammy or paid links that you cannot remove, and they are a real risk
Try to remove bad links first by contacting the site owner.
When not to use it
- A few low-quality or odd-looking links
- Links with a low DA or DR
- Normal link profile clean-ups with no clear risk
- Fear of “negative SEO” with no evidence
Google says it is good at ignoring spammy links. To judge which links are worth keeping, read what makes a backlink high quality.
How to prepare a file
Create a plain text file. Put one entry per line. Use full URLs for single pages or the domain: prefix for whole sites. Add comments with a # at the start of a line. Upload it in the disavow tool for the correct property.
Common mistakes
- Disavowing by DA or DR
- Disavowing links without checking them
- Disavowing a domain you actually want
- Treating it as routine maintenance
FAQ
Will disavowing improve rankings?
Not by itself. It is meant to reduce risk from manipulative links, not to boost rankings.
How long does it take to work?
Google processes the file when it recrawls the linking pages. It can take weeks.
Can I undo a disavow?
Yes. Upload a new file without those entries.
Not sure about your links? I can review your backlink profile and tell you what to do. See my link building and guest posting service.
About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.