Disavow Backlinks

Backlinks can be a blessing or a curse. While high-quality backlinks boost your site’s search rankings, toxic links can drag it down. That’s where the Disavo process becomes essential. If you’re wondering how to disavow backlinks using the SEMrush tool, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step. From identifying harmful links to generating a Disavo file, SEMrush makes the entire process user-friendly and efficient.

Why Disavo Backlinks?

Search engines like Google use backlinks to evaluate a website’s authority and trustworthiness. However, not all links are good. Spammy or toxic backlinks can hurt your SEO, resulting in lower rankings or even penalties. The Disavo process is Google’s way of allowing you to tell them which backlinks you don’t want to be associated with.

SEMrush is one of the most powerful tools for identifying and disavowing toxic links quickly and accurately.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disavo Using the SEMrush Tool

Let’s explore how to disavow backlinks using SEMrush, with a focus on minimizing risks and improving SEO performance.

Step 1: Start a Backlink Audit Project in SEMrush

To begin the Disavo process, you need to initiate a backlink audit in SEMrush:

  1. Log in to your SEMrush dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Link Building → Backlink Audit.
  3. Enter your domain and configure the settings (including target country and subdomain preferences).
  4. Click “Start Audit.”

Once SEMrush finishes crawling your site’s backlink profile, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Analyze Toxic Score and Link Type

SEMrush assigns each backlink a Toxic Score based on several criteria like spam indicators, suspicious TLDs, and link placement.

To use the Disavo feature effectively:

  • Go to the Audit tab under the Backlink Audit tool.
  • Sort backlinks by toxic score.
  • Focus on those marked with high toxicity (70+).
  • Look at factors like link anchor text, URL type, and domain authority.

This helps you identify which links are genuinely harmful and should be disavowed.

Step 3: Add Links to the Disavo List

Once you’ve identified toxic backlinks, it’s time to use the Disavo list in SEMrush:

  • Select the backlinks you want to disavow.
  • Click on the “Disavow” button.
  • Choose whether to disavow the entire domain or a specific URL.
  • Add a reason (optional but helpful for future audits).

These links will now be added to your Disavo list.

Pro Tip: It’s safer to disavow entire domains unless you’re confident only specific URLs are problematic.

How to Export and Submit a Disavo File to Google

SEMrush can’t directly upload to Google, but it makes exporting your Disavo file easy.

Step 4: Export the Disavo File from SEMrush

After building your list:

  1. Navigate to the Disavow tab.
  2. Click on Export to .txt file.
  3. The file will follow Google’s required format (e.g., domain:example.com).

Make sure to review the file before submission. A wrong disavowal could remove valuable backlinks.

Step 5: Submit the Disavo File to Google Search Console

Here’s how to officially disavow backlinks using Google:

  1. Go to Google Disavow Tool.
  2. Select your website property.
  3. Upload the .txt file you exported from SEMrush.
  4. Confirm the upload.

Google will now ignore those backlinks when evaluating your site.

Note: It can take several weeks for Google to process the Disavo request.

What Happens After You Disavo Backlinks?

Once submitted, the effects of disavowing may take time to reflect. Here’s what to expect:

  • Rankings might improve if toxic links were weighing your site down.
  • Crawl frequency may change as Google re-evaluates your link profile.
  • You may notice better alignment with Google’s guidelines.

Keep monitoring your backlinks using SEMrush and regularly update your Disavo list.

Best Practices for Using Disavo with SEMrush

To ensure you get the best results from the Disavo process:

H3: Disavo Only When Necessary

Don’t disavow just because a backlink looks unfamiliar. Analyze it carefully. Some links may appear sketchy but still be legitimate.

H3: Perform Regular Backlink Audits

Set reminders to run monthly audits using SEMrush. Backlinks are dynamic, and new toxic links can appear over time.

H3: Combine Disavo with Outreach

Before disavowing, try reaching out to the site owner and request link removal. If unsuccessful, proceed with the Disavo option.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using Disavo

Even with SEMrush, the Disavo process can go wrong if you’re not careful.

  • Over-disavowing: Avoid being overly aggressive. Removing too many links can harm your SEO.
  • Ignoring root domains: Sometimes a domain has many toxic pages. Disavow the domain instead of individual URLs.
  • Forgetting to submit: Creating the file isn’t enough; you must submit it to Google via Search Console.

Final Thoughts: Why Disavo is Essential for SEO Health

Toxic backlinks are an unavoidable part of being online, especially if you’re scaling your digital presence. Thankfully, the SEMrush tool simplifies how to disavow backlinks by providing you with a comprehensive audit, an easy-to-use interface, and export-ready formats.

By properly using the Disavo feature in SEMrush, you can protect your site from penalties and build a cleaner, healthier backlink profile—ultimately boosting your SEO performance.