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A printable, step-by-step checklist for quarterly toxic backlink triage. Use it with Search Console and a spam-focused shortlist. Google says most sites do not need to disavow.
01. Confirm Search Console access
Open the correct property. Check Manual actions. Note any link-related messages before you touch exports.
02. Capture baseline notes
Record date, domain, owner, and why you are auditing (quarterly, spike, client onboarding).
03. Run a spam-focused referring domain scan
Generate a shortlist of spam-flagged referring domains. Export CSV for your worksheet.
04. Sample live pages
Open representative URLs. Tag ignore, outreach, watch, or disavow candidate with evidence.
05. Attempt removals where practical
Send clear removal requests. Log responses. Stop chasing dead hosts.
06. Decide on disavow last
Only draft a file for clear spam you cannot remove, aligned with Google guidance that most sites never need it.
07. Store artifacts
Save CSV, notes, outreach log, and any uploaded disavow version with dates.
Run a live shortlist with the toxic backlink checker.