Starting October 2023, Bing Webmaster Tools will no longer offer the disavow links feature and corresponding API.
This is part of a larger initiative to streamline the platform's offerings and improve the user experience. Introduced in 2012, the disavow links feature has been a valuable asset for website owners, enabling them to guide Bing in ignoring specific incoming links when evaluating the quality and relevance of their sites. This feature was particularly beneficial for combating the impact of negative SEO attacks, which often involve low-quality, spammy backlinks.
How AI advancements are reshaping the SEO landscape
According to Bing, the driving force behind this change is the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Bing says their updated algorithms now possess the capability to understand the “context and intent” of backlinks far better than before. This means that the manual process of disavowing links is now considered redundant. The algorithm will automatically identify and disregard low-quality, harmful links, reducing the manual workload that website owners had to bear previously. The transition to AI-driven processes makes SEO management more efficient and ensures a more accurate assessment of website quality.
What this means for website owners
Despite the technological advancement, website owners must be cautious and adhere to Bing's standing guidelines concerning link schemes, buying, and spamming. They have to comply with these regulations to avoid removing the website from Bing's index.
However, the platform will keep users in the loop; Bing will continue offering valuable backlink reports. These reports give website owners important insights into their link profiles, helping them better understand how they are being evaluated.
Bing encourages user feedback for ongoing improvements
Fabrice Canel, the Principal Program Manager of Bing Webmaster Tools, wrapped up the announcement by thanking users for their continued support and urging them to provide feedback. The feedback can be submitted through Bing's help centre or their various support channels. By doing this, Bing aims to involve its user base in the ongoing efforts to refine and improve the platform's functionalities.
With these changes, Bing is leaning into automation and machine learning, signifying a significant shift in how search engine optimisation will be conducted soon.
