Google's Disavow Links Tool

The dictionary defines 'disavow' as disclaiming or rejecting something. The new tool introduced by google is meant to do just that. Currently, the Disavow tool is kept very simple. To disavow (reject / disclaim) links, all you have to do is upload a simple text file, one URL (the entire website or a single page you want google to ignore) per line. Matt Cutts, the engineer and spokesperson for google said at the launch that webmasters should proceed with caution about using the tool.

Why would anyone want to disavow a back link? Some companies want to remove links because they may have paid links, something google looks down upon. If these links are not removed, the website may get penalized. Other reasons to disavow a link are if the link is from a content farm or a blog circle, or if it is anchor text that harms your website's reputation due to detrimental content. Of course, removal is not instantaneous. Google takes its own sweet time in deciding to remove the link, lasting for at least a few weeks.

To use or not to use?
The jury is still out on whether to use the Disavow tool. Matt Cutts himself has said that though the tool is meant to help websites trying to clean up paid links, it is best used with abundant caution. He says that most websites would not need to use the tool anyway. Even webmasters are treading water with caution - a survey indicated that about 50% have used the tool, while 50% have still not tried it out. And some webmasters think that the new tool is simply a new feature added to an existing tool - the Spam Report. However, there are others who claim that the new Disavow tool has really helped revoke google penalties for their clients websites.