Source: http://cognitiveseo.com/blog/7282/8-renowned-experts-bust-common-google-disavow-tool-myths
Whenever we receive warnings from Google regarding dodgy links that are pointed to us, the most straight forward way of fixing this is through the disavow tool. While this may seem easy, there are actually a lot of myths and elements of confusion built up around using the disavow tool. Here’s a list of myths that you may want to know more about.
Disavow tool myths
Myth 1: Your site recovers after using the disavow tool
– The recovery of your site will depend on what genuine and reputable links it has. You might not end up on the Google SERP after using the disavow tool if it’s the shady, unnatural links that are the ones making your site rank in the first place.
Myth 2: Always disavow at the domain level
– Especially for links that come from spam directories, this is essentially true. However, there are also links that require disavowing at the URL level, such as press releases.
Myth 3: Pick and choose your links
– Even if it helps your website rank, links that clearly violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines must be disavowed.
Myth 4: It is possible to damage your site by disavowing it
– Disavowing a site means you are simply implying to Google that you don’t want to include links that are coming from a certain site when they compute your rankings. Well, it doesn’t.
Myth 5: Google’s Webspam team reads the disavow tool
– The disavow tool is often used by webmasters as a request for reconsideration. Disavow files, however, are entirely machine read. All of the comments in the disavow file are for you and for your own use only, and Google’s employees will not read them.
Myth 6: Disavowing does not work
– In lifting manual penalties, the tool does actually work. The disavow file, together with a detailed request for reconsideration is a core component in getting a manual penalty revoked successfully.
Myth 7: There is no turning back once you disavow links
– By simply removing links from your disavow file and resubmitting it, you can actually reavow links.