Roofing contractor (US)
Spam link cleanup
83% toxic → 0%
1,347 spam domains disavowed, 173 genuine domains kept
Read case studyService · SEO, AEO & GEO
Toxic backlink removal and disavow service
When spam domains flood your backlink profile, I review every flagged domain by hand, build a domain- or URL-level disavow file, submit it in Google Search Console and re-audit to confirm the result. Genuine links, such as local directories and partners, stay untouched.
What is a disavow, and when do you need one?
A disavow file is a list of domains or URLs you ask Google to ignore when it assesses links to your site. It does not delete the links from the web. Google says it already ignores most spammy links on its own, so a disavow is an advanced tool, not a monthly chore. It makes sense, usually as part of a technical SEO audit, when you have a manual action for unnatural links, a large pattern of spam or paid links you're worried about, or a sudden wave of toxic domains like the ones in my case studies. That's why every domain is reviewed by hand: disavowing good links by mistake removes value you earned.
Signs you need this
- A sudden spike in new referring domains you didn't build
- Casino, adult, scraper or link-network domains pointing at your pages
- A HIGH toxicity score in Semrush Backlink Audit
- A manual action for unnatural links in Search Console
- Links left over from old paid-link or link-scheme work
- Spam links injected after your site was hacked
What's included
Full backlink audit
Semrush Backlink Audit plus your Search Console links export, so nothing is missed.
Manual review
Every flagged domain checked by hand. Genuine local, partner and editorial links stay.
The right level of rule
Domain-level rules where a whole site is spam, URL-level rules where only one page is the problem.
Submission and confirmation
File uploaded in Search Console, with Google's confirmation saved for your records.
Re-audit
A fresh audit after the upload shows the toxic share and score after the cleanup.
Monitoring
Optional monthly checks, because new spam can arrive at any time.
How I work
- Spot the pattern. Timeline of new referring domains, anchors and link types to see when and how the spam arrived.
- Review by hand. Each flagged domain is checked before it goes near the file.
- Build the file. Clean, commented disavow file in Google's format.
- Upload and confirm. Submitted in Search Console, confirmation recorded.
- Re-audit and monitor. Fresh audit, then monthly checks if you choose.
When I tell clients not to disavow
- A handful of random low-quality links. Google already ignores most of these; a disavow adds risk for no gain.
- Links you could remove at the source. If you control the linking site or the link was paid, removal is cleaner.
- An automated "toxic" list without review. Tools flag false positives. In the sports network project, sister sites with 25 and 23 referring domains were 100% non-toxic, so no disavow was needed.
Proof from real projects
Sports publisher network
Toxic backlink cleanup
HIGH → LOW
toxic score on two sites, 4,000+ spam domains disavowed
Read case studyHow to work with me
Questions about this service
Does disavowing delete backlinks?
No. Disavowing asks Google to ignore the listed links; it does not remove them from the web. The after numbers in a re-audit show the spam excluded from your profile.
Is disavowing safe?
It's safe when every domain is reviewed by hand. The risk comes from uploading an automated list that includes genuine links, which throws away value you earned.
How quickly does Google confirm a disavow file?
Search Console confirms the upload straight away; in the roofing case Google's notice arrived the same day. Google then applies it as it recrawls the linking pages, so the effect on rankings is gradual.
Should I use domain-level or URL-level rules?
Domain-level when the whole site is spam, so new spam pages on it are covered too. URL-level when only one page on an otherwise normal site is the problem.
How often should I check for spam links?
For small local businesses, monthly. A sudden wave of spam domains can arrive at any time, as it did for a roofing contractor with 633 new toxic domains.
Want results like these for your site?
Send your website and goal. I reply within one business day (Dhaka time, GMT+6).
