The Impact of Disavowing Toxic Backlinks on Website Ranking and Traffic
In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), the topic of disavowing toxic backlinks has been a point of contention among digital marketers and website owners. The practice of disavowing backlinks involves informing search engines like Google to ignore certain links that may be considered harmful or spammy to a website’s ranking.
On July 26th, 2024, an experiment was conducted to assess the effects of disavowing toxic backlinks on website ranking and traffic. A total of 129 URLs deemed “toxic” or “potentially toxic” were identified and disavowed in Google Search Console. The immediate impact was a 7.1% decrease in traffic, as reported by GSC.
However, it is essential to note that during the same period, Google was rolling out a Core Update, which may have influenced the results. Despite the shortened duration of the experiment due to the update, valuable insights were gained regarding the impact of disavowing toxic backlinks.
Interpreting the Data: A Closer Look
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of disavowing toxic backlinks, each page’s performance was analyzed individually.
Page 1: SEO Pricing Guide
The first page, an SEO pricing guide, experienced a 12% drop in traffic following the disavowal of toxic backlinks. While organic traffic to the page was initially flatlining, it continued to show a similar trend after the disavowal. Ahrefs data suggested a slight downward trend in estimated organic traffic before and after the disavowal.
Page 2: Top YouTube Searches
On the second page, which listed the top YouTube searches, there was an 8.25% decrease in traffic post-disavowal. The organic traffic to this page was trending upward before the disavowal but showed a downward trend afterward. Ahrefs data corroborated this trend, indicating a decline in estimated organic traffic following the disavowal.
Page 3: Top Bing Searches
In contrast, the third page, featuring the top Bing searches, saw a 12.82% increase in traffic after disavowing toxic backlinks. Organic traffic to this page was trending upward both before and after the disavowal. Ahrefs data also indicated a consistent upward trend in estimated traffic for this page.
Analyzing the Results: What Does It Mean?
The results of the experiment suggest that disavowing toxic backlinks may have varied effects on different pages within a website. While some pages experienced a slight decrease in traffic, others saw growth or remained unaffected by the disavowal. Overall, the impact of disavowing toxic backlinks appeared to be minimal, with no significant improvement in rankings or visibility observed.
It is important to consider the context of each website and the nature of its backlink profile before opting to disavow toxic links. Blindly disavowing backlinks reported by SEO tools may not always yield positive results and could potentially harm a website’s traffic.
Expert Insights: To Disavow or Not to Disavow?
According to industry experts like Patrick Stox and Marie Haynes, the decision to disavow toxic backlinks should be based on specific criteria. Disavowing should be considered if a website has a significant number of spammy or manipulative links that have resulted in a manual action or are likely to trigger one.
However, it is crucial to exercise caution when disavowing backlinks, as the perceived toxicity of certain links may not align with their actual impact on a website’s SEO performance. SEO tools may mislabel beneficial links as toxic, leading to potential traffic loss if these links are disavowed.
Ultimately, the key takeaway from the experiment is that improving overall SEO practices and focusing on quality content may be more beneficial than solely relying on disavowing toxic backlinks. While disavowing can be a valuable tool in specific circumstances, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for improving website ranking and traffic.
In Conclusion
The impact of disavowing toxic backlinks on website ranking and traffic is a nuanced and complex issue that requires careful consideration and analysis. While the experiment yielded valuable insights into the effects of disavowing backlinks on individual pages, the overall impact was minimal.
As digital marketers and website owners navigate the ever-changing landscape of SEO, it is essential to approach disavowing toxic backlinks with caution and a thorough understanding of its potential implications. By focusing on holistic SEO strategies and quality content creation, websites can strive to improve their ranking and visibility without solely relying on disavowing backlinks.
Remember, the decision to disavow toxic backlinks should be based on concrete evidence of their harmful impact on a website’s SEO performance. By staying informed and making informed decisions, website owners can navigate the complexities of backlink management effectively.