What is a Disavow File?
To disavow links is to ask Google, through the disavow links tool in Search Console, to ignore specific links or entire domains that point to your site. You do it by uploading a plain text file that lists them.
Why it matters
Sometimes a site collects links it never wanted: links left over from an old campaign, links from scraped or spammy pages, or links built by a provider that used tactics against Google's spam policies. Google says that in most cases it can work out which links to trust without help, so most sites do not need the tool. It is described as an advanced feature that can harm performance if used incorrectly, which is why it is treated as a last step and not as routine maintenance.
When to use a disavow file
Google's own guidance sets the bar: disavow only when you have a considerable number of spammy, artificial or low quality links pointing to your site, and those links have caused or are likely to cause a manual action. Before that, the first move is to try to have the links removed by contacting the sites that host them. Review the links carefully before you list them, because disavowing links that were actually helping can hurt. Keep your own record of what you listed and why.
What a disavow file can list
URL level entry
Lists a single linking page. It suits cases where one specific page carries the unwanted link and the rest of the site is fine.
Domain level entry
Lists an entire domain by prefixing it with "domain:". It suits cases where every link from a site is unwanted, such as a spam network.
Comment lines
Lines starting with a hash sign are comments. They let you note why a link or domain was listed, which helps whoever reviews the file later.
Example
A site hires an agency that builds hundreds of links on low quality blogs, and later receives a manual action for unnatural links. The owner asks the blogs to remove the links, lists the ones that remain in a disavow file, and then submits a reconsideration request that describes the cleanup.
Disavow and Orbink
Disavowing is a cleanup step, not a way to build authority. When you order placements, each Orbink listing shows metrics such as DR and monthly organic traffic and the niches a site accepts, so you can judge a site before a link exists.
Read the Penalty Recovery GuideSources
Frequently Asked Questions
Google says most sites do not need to. The tool is meant for sites with a considerable number of spammy, artificial or low quality links that have caused or are likely to cause a manual action. If that does not describe your situation, a disavow file is usually unnecessary.
No. The links stay where they are. The file asks Google not to take them into account when assessing your site. Removing a link requires the site that hosts it.
There is no instant effect. Google processes the file when it recrawls the listed links, so the change appears over time and cannot be confirmed immediately.
Not alone. For a manual action you normally need to clean up the links, document what you did and submit a reconsideration request in Search Console.