Disavow File
01 Definition
Disavow File meaning: A text file telling Google to ignore specific backlinks when assessing your site.
A disavow file is a plain text list of URLs or domains you submit through Google's Disavow Links tool. It asks Google to discount those links, mainly to address a manual action or clearly manipulative links you cannot remove. Google advises most sites never need it, since it ignores spam automatically.
Also called
Why it matters
How Disavow File fits the work
It gives you a way to formally distance your site from manipulative links you built or that were pointed at you and cannot get removed.
In context
After a spam attack, the owner listed 60 spammy domains with the domain: prefix and uploaded the disavow file in Search Console.
Practical note
Use it cautiously; disavowing good links can hurt rankings. Google recommends the tool only for manual actions or a clearly unnatural, self-made link profile.