Disavow is part of the backlink analysis, which generally ensures that the quality of the links can be assessed. Disavow means something like “not wanting to have anything to do with” or “rejecting” something.
The aim is to emphasize the usefulness and reliability (trust) of the website and the links. It could be that there are also very harmful links in the link profile, which should then also be devalued using the disavow tool. Your own backlinks should be analyzed again and again. However, this is a very sensitive undertaking, which is why it could theoretically also lead to an algorithmic or manual penalty from the search engine. These steps should therefore only be carried out by an expert from a professional link building agency.
What is a backlink analysis (disavow)?
Backlinks can be viewed in the Google Search Console, for example, where this list can also be exported. There are various SEO tools on the market that support you in the analysis and help to categorize the links into “good” and “harmful”. It is important to ensure that you have a wide range of data.
Data is the basis
The basis for any analysis is the data that can be obtained via the Google Search Console or other free tools. It certainly makes sense to use both options, as this provides a complete picture of the links. Paid tools such as Linkresearchtools can also automatically identify toxic links and use a “detox” to categorize the links and create a list, which can then be uploaded to the Search Console. The links are then devalued in this way.
Evaluate backlinks
Once all backlinks have been collected, an overview is obtained. At first glance, you can already recognize links that are obviously more harmful than useful. Other harmful links can only be categorized with a tool and experience. An experienced SEO service provider pays attention to these factors, among others:
- Does the linking website have a (complete) legal notice?
- Does the linking website have high-quality and helpful content?
- Would you link to this website yourself?
- Does the website fit thematically with your own website?
- Does the website seem dubious?
- Is the website a link farm?
If the link itself is set, there are also factors for this:
- In which page area (header, body, footer) is the link placed?
- Which anchor text is used and in which context is the link placed?
- Does the link offer added value (e.g. through further content)?
- Does the link look “natural”?
All these questions form the basis – but it can go even deeper. Over time, experience is gained and we understand how the Google algorithm works. Work is then carried out based on this knowledge.
Control
All toxic links are now collected in a list and can be reviewed by you. However, it is best if someone who is familiar with the matter takes another look. A link building agency would also be the right contact in this case. Otherwise, devaluing the wrong links could lead to a significant drop in traffic. This would, of course, be a scenario that nobody wants.
Disavow tool
Once the list of harmful links has been completed, it must be uploaded to the Google Disavow Tool in .txt format. In the case of dubious sites, the entire domain should generally be excluded. In general, however, only one subpage can be excluded, for example.
When should a link cleanup take place?
When a link cleanup is carried out is up to you – it is only important that it is done at all – and ideally on a regular basis. There are site operators who do this monthly and others who do it once every six months. However, there should not be a longer interval, especially if the site is already very well known. It is therefore clear that it is not only necessary to build up backlinks, but also to regularly clean up your own link profile.
