Now that Google has built a gateway that allows webmasters to "clear things up" when it comes to shady links and black-hat link building practices, "all is fair in love and war" right? Wrong. The release of the new Google Disavow Tool has raised many questions by webmasters and SEOs on whether or not this tool really does protect you and help you get in Google's good graces.
The idea of the Disavow tool is genius. A tool that allows you to communicate to Google what links you don't want pointing to your site. A way for you to essentially clean up your websites link profile and prevent your site from receiving any future link penalties at the hands of Google.
But is that what the Disavow tool really does? Many SEOs and one SEO company in particular have raised suspicion by pointing out that Google may be using the Disavow Tool as an "Intelligence Tool" for locating and penalizing bad link neighbourhoods. And it's with this suspicion in mind that I want to present to you 3 important tips before using the new tool from Google.
1. Don't Use The Disavow Tool Unless You Have Reason To Believe You Have Been or Will Be Penalized
Many webmasters are using the Disavow Tool freely without any real reason whatsoever other than being overcautious. Don't be overcautious. Unless you have reason to believe your site has already been penalized by bad links or worse, has received a message from Google inside Google Webmaster Tools, don't move forward with using the Disavow tool. If you do you most likely will hurt your site more than helping it.
2. Take All Other Google Webmaster Guideline Precautions First
Take some time and go through the entire list of items in the Google Webmaster Guidelines document. Highlight any items that your site may be violating and work to fix those first. Many times sites get penalized or risk penalties for other reasons besides links such as malware or duplicate content issues.
3. Really Mine Through Your Links And Find What's Truly "Bad"
This tasks will really rely on you being as "objective" as you can. Try to stay away from your "subjective" opinion on this as it will more times than not give you a false representation of the true quality of your backlinks. Mine out any links that truly can be labeled as "bad" or "spammy." This shorter list of links is a better list to send to Google rather than the bigger list you probably originally intended to send.
Use the Google Disavow Tool with much caution. Because you can never be too suspicious when it comes to Google's true intentions.
on
yes, you are right. this is very sensitive tool and we have to understand it clearly to use for our blog or website.
on
I think it’s interesting that this tool exists, and above all else a sign of the times. “Black hat” SEO is taking over and it’s hurting more legitimate websites as search engines and ad networks tighten up their algorithms and ranking systems.
on
At least they tried to clean things up a little lol
on
I’ve received some interesting notices from Google’s Webmaster Tools and have so far ignored all of them with absolutely no change in rankings. Something tells me that in a large number of cases, Google is simply throwing fear against the wall to see where it sticks. Guilt ridden webmasters are essentially “telling on themselves” and outing their link sources by reporting them with this tool. It is scary to think what Google is doing with that information.
on
The “intelligence tool” notion was my concern from square one. Although the feedback on this tool would be user-driven, I quiver to think what a company like Google might think to do with this. It also makes one wonder if some of the more aggressive SEO’ers would use this to stiff competition.
That said, excellent tips! From a personal SEO perspective at the very least the Disavow tool can definitely help clean up your link neighborhood. Just can’t get too trigger happy. 😛
on
When did Google come up to this? Anyway it seems a good idea, I like it.
on
Google released this tool back in October 2012. This article from the Webmaster Central Blog should answers any of your questions.
on
I definitely agree with Nicole on that. I am suspicious of this New Disavow Links Tool, especially with this HUGE Google algorithm update that happened a few days ago. I would rather look for links that I know for sure are going to harm my sites rep and use the tool then and only then. I wouldn’t use it otherwise. Wait until you hear from other site owners that nothing fishy happens after using the tool.