Google has introduced a disavow tool to enable users to eliminate link spam from their sites.
The new tool was created to assist websites that have received a warning from Google of “manual spam action based on unnatural links.”
“By removing the bad links directly, you’re helping to prevent Google (and other search engines) from taking action again in the future,” – Jonathan Simon.
“You’re also helping to protect your site’s image, since people will no longer find spammy links pointing to your site on the Web and jump to conclusions about your website or your business.”
When using the tool, you will be prompted to select your website and then upload a text file containing the spammy link. From there it is over to Google to action.
This may take a number of weeks to process from Google’s end as it re-crawls and reindex the site.
Google recommends users double-check the links they have uploaded to ensure no good URLs are accidently copied to the text file. Although good links can be reinstated after being removed, the process is not quick one.
Note – most websites do not need to use this tool at all. If you’re not sure what the tool does or whether you need to use it, you probably shouldn’t use it.
