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Google Says Keep Using Disavow File Even Though Penguin Devalues Links

Google Disavow

So Google has been confusing us a bit, with good intention, on the disavow file and its use after Penguin 4.0. Initially, Google implied disavow files help with Penguin still – but that does not seem to be true. Since Penguin devalues and doesn’t demote – disavowing a devalued link, doesn’t do much – at all.

But then John posted on Twitter this morning that “nothing changed with the disavow.” Well, it has, in terms of Penguin – but Google still thinks that if you are concerned, use it for other algorithms and manual actions.

John spoke about the disavow file a few times in the hangout yesterday morning.

First was at the 20:09 mark where he said the vast majority of sites do not need to use the disavow file:

Then at 23:20 John said it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. Even if Penguin devalues, use it for other reasons:

He then was asked about those who suggest to remove the disavow file completely:

What about the reverse, those who disavow all links?

Here is the video embed:

So yes, as I said, use the disavow file but you do not specifically need it for Penguin. But use it if you have used it in the past.

Forum discussion at Twitter and Google+.

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