Disavowing backlinks is an essential process to maintain your website’s SEO health and protect it from harmful links. Follow this comprehensive guide to efficiently disavow unwanted backlinks.
Drawing from our experiences when providing SEO to many clients clients, we’ve also included some bonus tips on how to respond if someone contacts you threatening to build spammy backlinks, and how to use Google’s disavow tool to deal with this eventuality too.
Step 1: Identify Spammy Links
If you are unsure how to disavow backlinks, there are several tools available that can simplify this task. Tools like Semrush and Moz are excellent for identifying spammy links in bulk. These platforms can quickly analyse your backlink profile and pinpoint links that could be detrimental to your site’s SEO. After identification, these tools can export a ‘disavow file’ that is ready for uploading onto Google Search Console, saving you a significant amount of time and effort.
Step 2: Create a Disavow File
If the tool you are using provides a list of spammy links but does not automatically create a disavow file, you can still compile one manually. Begin by copying and pasting the identified spammy links into a text file. Make sure to follow the format outlined in Google’s guide on disavowing backlinks. Each link should be on a new line, and you can add comments to explain why a link is being disavowed, which can be helpful for future reference.
Step 3: Upload the Disavow File
Once your disavow file is ready, head over to the Search Console disavow tool. Upload your file there to inform Google which links you want to disassociate from your website.
Note: If a disavow file is already present in the tool, it is important to download and review it first. Ensure it does not contain any links that should be kept and consider merging it with your new disavow file. This step ensures you maintain a comprehensive and updated list of spammy links.
Use URL Prefix Properties, Not Domain Properties
There are 2 types of Search Console properties that Google provide – Domain Search Console properties (which apply to everything within the domain including all subdomains), and URL Prefix Search Console properties (these only apply to the specific subdomain or domain prefix chosen, whether this be https:// or https://www. or any other URL prefix prior to the domain’s URL).
When using the disavow tool, it is crucial to use a URL prefix Google Search Console property, as domain properties are not supported. This ensures that your disavow file applies specifically to the URLs associated with your URL Prefix property, allowing for precise and effective disavowal of unwanted backlinks.
The Effect of Disavowing Links
By utilising Google’s disavow tool, you can nullify the impact of any spammy links pointing to your website. This action helps preserve your site’s SEO integrity and shields it from the adverse effects of malicious SEO tactics. It’s a proactive measure to safeguard your search engine rankings and overall online reputation.
Emails Threatening Spammy Backlinks – How To Respond
Receiving a threatening email demanding backlinks can be alarming, but knowing how to respond effectively can mitigate the impact and prevent further issues. Earlier this week, one of our SEO clients received an email demanding they create a do-follow link to a specific blog post, threatening to build a million toxic blog comment spam backlinks if they did not comply. This kind of email is distressing to receive, but unfortunately, not uncommon.
Step-by-Step Response Plan
Don’t Panic: It is highly probable that this emailed threat regarding spammy backlinks is a bluff. The sender is likely trying to scare you into compliance, playing on your fear of losing Google rankings.
Report the Email: Forward the email to your SEO team or a trusted professional. They can offer guidance and develop a counter-strategy, ensuring you do not act out of fear.
Disavow Potential Links: In the rare event that the threat is carried out, it’s not the end of the world. You can use Google Search Console to disavow the unwanted links. This process will help prevent any negative impact on your website’s SEO.
You Are Not Alone: This Happens to Others
Many website owners in the UK have received similar emails, making it a widespread issue. Google Search Console has put together a comprehensive article on how spammers use such tactics to blackmail website owners for backlinks. Additionally, be aware that the email you received might not be from who it claims to be, as detailed in the example ‘Scammer Threatens Site Owners for Backlinks‘. The sender could be using a fake identity to increase the fear factor.
Conclusion
So there you have it – how to proactively disavow backlinks to improve your rankings on Google Search, and what to do if someone contacts you threatening to build spammy links pointing to your website. Still a little unsure that you can sort this? Not a problem, just give us a call on 0330 236 6568 and our team are more than happy to assist you.
