Disavow File Generator

What the Disavow File Generator does

A disavow file asks Google to ignore specific links to your site when it assesses the site. It is a plain text file uploaded in Google Search Console, with one entry per line: either a full URL, which disavows links from that single page, or domain:example.com, which disavows links from every page on that domain and its subdomains. Lines that start with # are comments.

This generator takes the URLs and domains you paste, in any mix, and builds the file in that format. You choose whether entries become domain: lines or stay as URLs. It removes duplicates, sorts the entries, adds comment lines, and skips anything that is not a valid URL or domain, so a stray line cannot spoil the upload. It works only on the text you paste and contacts none of the listed sites.

Why it matters

Most sites never need a disavow file. Google says it ignores most spammy and low-quality links by itself, and disavowing links you merely dislike achieves nothing; disavowing good links can throw away value your site earned. The tool is for two situations: a manual action for unnatural links in Search Console, or a known history of paid or manipulative links, for example from an old SEO agency, that you have tried and failed to get removed.

The format is unforgiving in small ways. Each upload replaces the previous file for that property instead of adding to it, so a new file must contain every entry you still want. Lines in the wrong format are reported as errors on upload. Google also has to recrawl the linking pages before a disavow takes effect, which can take weeks.

How to fix common problems

Before you disavow, export your links from the Links report in Search Console and review them by hand. Try to get the worst ones removed first by contacting the site owners; for a manual action, Google expects to see that effort. Disavow what remains, preferring domain: entries for sites that are spammy throughout, because the same links often appear on many of their URLs.

If you already have a disavow file, download it from the disavow links tool first and paste its entries in together with the new ones, so nothing you disavowed earlier is lost. Save the result as a plain .txt file in UTF-8 and upload it in the disavow links tool for the right property.

For a manual action, follow the upload with a reconsideration request that explains what you removed and what you disavowed. Keep a dated copy of every file you upload. Bing Webmaster Tools has its own disavow feature; a file uploaded to Google does not apply there.

Questions

Do I need a disavow file?

Probably not. Google ignores most spammy links automatically. Use one only for a manual action for unnatural links, or for paid or manipulative links you know about and cannot get removed.

Should I disavow by domain or by URL?

By domain for sites whose links are all bad, which is the common case: it covers every page and subdomain. By URL when only a few pages on an otherwise normal site link to you unnaturally.

Does uploading a new file add to the old one?

No. A new upload replaces the previous file for that property, so include every entry you still want disavowed.

How long does it take to work?

Google applies the file as it recrawls the linking pages, which can take several weeks. There is no confirmation for individual links.

Can I undo a disavow?

Yes. Upload a file without those entries, or remove the file in the disavow links tool. The change applies gradually as Google recrawls the pages.