Content revised 21 October 2026.
Unfamiliar links or a traffic drop do not prove an attack. Separate website security, content copying and search performance so each concern receives the right investigation.
Check access and security
Review unexpected website changes, account access and the relevant security reports. If the site is compromised, preserve evidence and use a qualified recovery process. A backlink tool cannot prevent unauthorised access.
Inspect search evidence
Compare affected pages and queries with release and outage history. Check manual-action information where access is available. Avoid assuming that every decline is caused by another publisher or competitor.
Handle suspicious links cautiously
Many sites receive odd links without needing action. Google’s disavow tool has specific cautions and is not routine maintenance for every low-score domain. Diagnose the situation before making a broad submission.
Protect original work
Keep source backups and publication records. Investigate copied material with the actual URLs and appropriate reporting routes. Do not remove valuable original content merely because another site reproduced it.
Official guidance: Google disavow cautions, Google traffic-drop investigation.