Turn a list of spammy backlinks into a correctly formatted disavow.txt file to upload to Google Search Console.
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The disavow file format
# Spam links found in Search Console
domain:spammy-links.example
https://another-site.example/paid-links-page.html| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| File type | Plain .txt, UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII |
| Size | Up to 100,000 lines and 2 MB |
| Entries | One URL or domain per line |
| Domains | Start with domain: (for example domain:example.com) |
| Comments | Lines starting with # |
| URL length | Up to 2,048 characters |
Should you disavow links?
Usually not. Google says most sites never need the disavow tool, because it ignores most spammy links on its own. Use it only if you have a manual action for unnatural links, or you know of paid or manipulative links pointing at your site that you couldn’t get removed.
How to upload it
- Open Google Search Console’s Disavow links tool.
- Choose your property.
- Upload the file. A new upload replaces your previous list, so always include everything you still want disavowed.
Frequently asked questions
Should I disavow URLs or domains?
Domains, usually: spam sites often link from many pages.
Can I disavow a folder like example.com/blog/?
No. You can disavow a single URL or a whole domain, not a subfolder.
How long does disavowing take?
Google processes it as it recrawls the linking pages, which can take weeks.
Can disavowing hurt my site?
Yes, if you disavow good links. Only include links you’re sure are harmful.
Sources
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