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Disavow File Generator for Google's Disavow Tool

A disavow file generator turns a list of domains or URLs into a text file in the format Google's disavow tool expects. This free disavow file generator cleans your list, removes duplicates, adds the domain: prefix when you ask, and lets you download a disavow.txt file you can review and upload yourself.

By ToxicBacklink
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Disavow File Generator Tool

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What is a disavow file?

A disavow file is a text file that lists the pages or domains linking to your site that you want Google to disregard. You upload it in Google's disavow tool.

Google's official disavow documentation frames it as a later step. It says to try to remove the links from the other site first, and to disavow the pages or domains only if you cannot remove them or get them removed. It also ties the tool to cases such as a manual action for unnatural links, or a likely one, rather than to every odd link.

If you are unsure whether your site needs one, read should you disavow backlinks first. For background on risky links, see what toxic backlinks are.

What is the Google disavow file format?

The Google disavow file format is a plain text file, saved with a .txt ending, in UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII encoding, with one entry per line. The rules are short:

One entry per line: Each line is either a full URL or a whole domain.
Whole domains: Write them with the prefix domain:, for example domain:example.com.
Comments: A line that starts with # is a comment, and Google ignores it.
Encoding and name: UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII, and the file name must end in .txt.
Size: Up to 100,000 lines, including blank and comment lines, and up to 2 MB in size.
No page paths for whole sections: You cannot disavow a folder such as example.com/en/.

Disavow file example

Here is a short disavow file example you can use as a template:

Example 
# Disavow file for mysite.example, created [date]
# Domains I could not get removed
domain:sample-domain-1.example
domain:sample-domain-2.example

# A single page
https://sample-domain-3.example/page-with-the-link.html

The generator above writes this format for you, so you do not have to type the prefix or check the rules by hand. Our step-by-step guide shows how to upload the file.

How do you create a disavow file?

You create a disavow file by collecting the domains you want to disavow, pasting them into the generator, and downloading the result.

  1. Decide which links to disavow.

    Export your links from Search Console, as shown in our export guide, and review them. The Toxic Backlink Checker can help you find the ones worth a closer look.

  2. Paste your list.

    Add one domain or URL per line, or upload a .txt or .csv file.

  3. Choose your options.

    Add the domain: prefix, remove duplicates, and add a comment header if you want one.

  4. Check the preview.

    Fix any line the tool flags, then download disavow.txt.

  5. Upload it yourself.

    Add the file in Google's disavow tool. See how to submit a disavow file.

The How it works page shows how this generator fits with the checker.

Should you disavow a domain or a single URL?

Disavow a whole domain when the entire site is the problem, and a single URL when only one page is. This is general guidance, not a rule from Google.

Situation

The whole site exists only to hold links, or links to you appear on many of its pages

Usually better

A domain line, such as domain:example.com

Situation

One page links to you unnaturally, and the rest of the site looks real

Usually better

A URL line for that page

Situation

You are not sure

Usually better

Look at the site first. Keep the link until you know

A domain line covers every link from that site, including good ones you may not have seen, so use it with care. The generator lets you choose whether to treat every entry as a whole domain, and the option to convert subdomains to the root domain is off by default for the same reason. If you want help spotting problem sites, read how to find toxic backlinks.

What to know before you upload the file

Check five things before you upload, because a disavow file is quick to create but can change how Google treats your links.

Try to remove links first. Google says to ask the other site to remove the link, and to disavow only if that fails. See Google's disavow help page.
Check your property type. Google says the disavow tool does not support Domain properties in Search Console.
Review every line. If you started from an export of your Links report, remove the entries you do not want to disavow. Google's Links report help page explains the data.
Keep a backup of your current disavow file before you upload a new one.
Do not expect the list to change. Google says disavowed links continue to appear in the Links report.

This generator never sends anything to Google. You upload the file yourself, and the choice to disavow is yours. For the full steps, see how to submit a disavow file.

Pre-upload checklist

  • Ask other sites to remove links first
  • Check your Search Console property type
  • Review every line in your export before adding it
  • Keep a backup of your current disavow file
  • Disavowed links stay visible in Search Console reports

Can you create a disavow file from a CSV?

Yes, you can convert a CSV to a disavow file by uploading it to the generator and choosing the column that holds the domains or URLs. [CONFIRM: say exactly how the tool picks the column and what happens to the other columns.]

This works with a CSV from Google Search Console, from a spreadsheet, or from the export of any other backlink tool, as long as it has a column of domains or URLs. If you have not exported your links yet, our export guide shows how. If you also want a risk score for each domain before you choose, run the file through the Toxic Backlink Checker first.

Prefer to paste? Copy the column from your spreadsheet and drop it into the text area above.

Related disavow & migration tools

Streamline your technical backlink audit with complementary in-browser utilities:

Toxic Backlink Checker

Audit external backlink exports and identify risky referring domains.

Disavow File Validator

Verify disavow files line-by-line against Google format rules.

Disavow File Cleaner

Sort, deduplicate, and clean disavow directives.

Disavow File Merger

Combine multiple disavow files into one deduplicated list.

Compare Disavow Files

Diff two disavow files and isolate additions and removals.

Disavow File to CSV

Convert disavow text rules into audit spreadsheets.

Browse our full suite in the Advanced SEO & QA Category.

Disavow file generator questions

What does a disavow file generator do?

It turns a list of domains or URLs into a text file in the format Google's disavow tool expects, with the right prefixes and without duplicates.

Is this disavow file generator free?

Yes, it is free and needs no account. It formats files up to 100,000 lines and 2 MB in size.

What format does Google require?

A .txt file in UTF-8 or 7-bit ASCII, with one URL or domain per line. The sections above list the rules, and how to submit a disavow file covers the upload.

Should I use domain: lines or full URLs?

Use domain: when the whole site is the problem, and a URL when only one page is. The comparison table above explains the difference.

Does this tool send my file to Google?

No. You download the file and upload it yourself in Google's disavow tool.

Will a disavow file improve my rankings?

Not necessarily. Google says to try to remove links first and to disavow only when you cannot. Read should you disavow backlinks before you decide.

Ready to create your file?

Build your disavow file

Paste your list into the generator at the top of this page and download your file. Not sure which domains belong on it? Run your export through the Toxic Backlink Checker first. You can also see every free tool on the tools page, return to the ToxicBacklink home page, or read more on the blog.

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