
Broken links can be a big headache for website owners and SEO specialists. These links lead visitors to pages that no longer exist, which can frustrate users and send a message to search engines that your site isn’t well-maintained. This can harm your search rankings and reduce your ability to attract organic traffic.
In this guide, we’ll break down what broken links are and how they can affect your website’s performance. You’ll also learn practical strategies to spot, prevent, and fix these issues. Whether you’re new to SEO or aiming to boost your site’s health, this guide is here to help.
What Are Broken Links?
Broken links, also called dead links, are hyperlinks that no longer lead to the intended webpage. These disruptions can frustrate users and harm a website's SEO performance.
Examples of Broken Links
Websites commonly encounter broken links due to various reasons. For instance, when a page is removed or relocated without setting up a redirect. A link to an outdated article or a deleted external site might also create issues. Internal links can break when URL structures are modified but not updated.
Typos in URLs are another frequent cause of broken links. Even minor errors can render a link useless. Additionally, temporary server outages or technical issues might prevent links from functioning. Factors like expired domains or updates to external websites are also common contributors.
Reasons for Broken Links
Sometimes, website plugins or themes misconfigure links, creating errors. This highlights the importance of regularly reviewing and maintaining your website.
Use tools such as Google Search Console or specialized SEO platforms to detect and resolve broken links. Identifying problems early ensures a smoother user experience and safeguards your site’s SEO performance.
Why Broken Links Matter?
Broken links, or hyperlinks pointing to non-existent pages, can harm SEO, disrupt user experience, and impact website performance.
- It Can Have An Impact On SEO
A handful of broken links may not directly harm rankings, but numerous ones indicate poor site maintenance. Google’s Search Quality Rating Guidelines view broken links as a sign of neglect, potentially lowering credibility and rankings. They also interrupt the flow of "link equity"—a measure of your site's authority.
- It Will Lead To Poor User Experience
When users click a link expecting helpful content but hit a dead end, frustration ensues. This degrades their experience and harms your reputation. As a result, users are likely to leave, raising bounce rates and losing trust in your site.
- It Will Result In Higher Bounce Rates
Frequent encounters with broken links lead visitors to abandon your site quickly. Increased bounce rates and shorter session durations signal to search engines that your content may not meet user needs.
- Loss Of Link Equity Is Possible
Broken links waste valuable link equity, reducing your site’s authority and undermining long-term rankings.
- Here Is How To Fix Broken Links
Routine checks using tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog can identify broken links. Resolve issues promptly by updating URLs, implementing redirects, or removing outdated links to maintain site integrity.
How to Find Broken Links?
Broken links, also known as dead links, are URLs that no longer lead users to their intended destinations. These links can negatively impact user experience, damage SEO rankings, and tarnish your website's reputation.
Whether your website is small or extensive, identifying and fixing broken links is essential. Here’s how you can do it effectively.
Manual checking (for small websites)
For websites with fewer pages, manually checking links is an easy and straightforward approach. You can follow these simple steps.
- Visit every page on your site and click on each hyperlink to confirm it leads to the correct destination.
- Pay close attention to both internal links (within your website) and external ones (pointing to other websites).
- Look out for error messages like “404 Not Found” or “Page Not Found.”
While time-intensive, manual checks also help identify other issues, such as outdated content or mislabeled links. This hands-on method ensures your website’s links are accurate and functional.
Online broken link checkers
Online tools make it easier to identify broken links across multiple pages. These tools are particularly helpful for small to medium-sized websites.
How They Work - You can enter your website URL, and these tools will scan your site, identify broken links, and provide you with a compiling report.
Popular Tools -
- Dead Link Checker for simple scans.
- Broken Link Checker for more in-depth analysis.
Limitations - Free versions may restrict the number of pages scanned or miss certain external links.
These tools save time by highlighting broken links and providing suggestions for fixing them, making them an efficient option.
SEO crawlers (for larger websites)
SEO crawlers play a vital role in optimizing large websites by identifying issues like broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors. These tools mimic search engines to ensure websites function efficiently, improving rankings and user experience.
Key Features
- Scalability - Processes thousands of URLs seamlessly.
- Thorough Analysis - Evaluates metadata, redirects, and crawlability.
- Advanced Options - Supports JavaScript rendering, API connections, and detailed reports.
Top Tools
- Screaming Frog - Simplifies metadata checks and finds broken links.
- SEMrush - Fixes mobile issues and tracks performance over time.
- Ahrefs - Uses charts to prioritize fixes.
- DeepCrawl - Built for enterprise-scale auditing.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool by Google that helps website owners enhance their site's search engine performance. Here’s why it’s invaluable:
Features
- Performance Insights - Track clicks, impressions, and keyword rankings.
- Error Reports - Identify and resolve issues like broken links or mobile problems.
- Indexing Details - See how Google processes your pages and fix blocked content.
Benefits
- Understand how users interact with your site.
- Boost visibility with detailed performance data.
- Fix technical glitches to improve user experience.
Key Takeaway - Regularly using Google Search Console ensures your site stays optimized and SEO-compliant.
How to Fix Broken Links?
Repairing broken links is essential to keep your site accessible and maintain its ranking. Here’s a simple guide to fixing both internal and external broken links.
Fixing internal broken links
Internal links connect pages within your site. If they’re broken, they interrupt navigation and complicate search engine indexing. Follow these steps to resolve them:
- Find Broken Links
Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Broken Link Checker to identify problematic links. These tools generate detailed reports for easy troubleshooting.
- Fix or Redirect
- Redirect Pages - Set up 301 redirects for moved or renamed pages to guide users to the right content.
- Correct Links - Update URLs with typos or outdated information. Confirm that the linked content is still valid.
- Schedule Maintenance
Regular audits prevent broken links from accumulating. Addressing them quickly keeps your site functional and user-friendly.
Pro Tip - Fix links on high-traffic pages first for the greatest SEO and usability benefits.
Fixing external broken links
External links lead to content on other websites. When broken, they frustrate users and harm authority. Here’s how to fix them:
- Scan for Issues
Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush help locate broken external links and suggest alternatives.
- Update or Remove Links
- Update - Replace outdated URLs with the correct ones.
- Remove - If no alternative exists, delete the link or substitute it with a reliable resource.
- Choose Reputable Sources
Link to authoritative websites to reduce the likelihood of future issues.
Pro Tip - Regularly review and update external links to ensure your content stays relevant and reliable.
Bottom line
Broken links do more than disrupt browsing—they can negatively affect user trust and your site's credibility. Regularly monitoring your website and fixing these issues through redirects or replacing outdated URLs showcases your commitment to quality and your audience's experience.
A functional, well-maintained site improves usability and boosts your search engine rankings. Proactively addressing broken links will ensure your website remains a trusted and valuable resource for visitors while reinforcing your reputation as a reliable and professional online presence.