So Google has been confusing us a bit, with good intention, on the disavow file and its use after Penguin 4.0. Initially, Google implied disavow files help with Penguin still - but that does not seem to be true. Since Penguin devalues and doesn't demote - disavowing a devalued link, doesn't do much - at all. Recently John posted on Twitter this morning that "nothing changed with the disavow." There for use the disavow file but you do not specifically need it for Penguin. But use it if you have used it in the past. Sources https://www.seroundtable.com/google-disavow-penguin-use-22798.html