Google: Rankings Drop After Disavowing Links? Remove Some Of Those Less Shady Links.

Apr 10, 2017 - 8:16 am 24 by

Google Pruning

Do you often do disavow link pruning? Well, maybe you should? Gary Illyes from Google said on Twitter that if you see that your rankings drop after you upload your disavow file, then remove some of those less shady links from the file and reupload.

Here is Gary's tweet:

I've never seen Google recommend this before. I've seen Google say that if you are disavowing links because you think those links should be disavowed, then keep those links disavowed. But here Google is clearly saying when you are unsure, then don't be as aggressive, which may not have been the approach in the past.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: January 14, 2026

Jan 14, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google

Google: We Prohibit Showing Different Prices In Search/AI Mode vs Website

Jan 14, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Linking Brand Websites Together At Reasonable Scale Is Fine

Jan 14, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google AdSense

Google AdSense Earnings Dropping Again eCPM/RPM - Complaints

Jan 14, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Faster Account Set Up With Campaigns

Jan 14, 2026 - 7:21 am
Bing Ads

Microsoft Advertising Releases Guide To AEO & GEO

Jan 14, 2026 - 7:11 am
 
Previous Story: Google Tests Showing Number Of Reviews Left By Reviewer