Broken links are links that don’t work anymore. They lead to missing pages and often show a 404 error, causing a poor experience for users and hurting SEO.
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever clicked on a link expecting useful information – only to end up on a blank page that says 404 Not Found? That’s a broken link.
Broken links are hyperlinks that no longer lead to the intended destination. They occur when a page is removed, the URL is changed, or the link was incorrectly typed. On the surface, they seem harmless. But if you run a website, even a few broken links can quietly damage your credibility, search engine rankings, and user experience.
Think of it like this: If your website were a store, broken links would be like signs pointing customers to empty shelves. It’s frustrating for them, and it reflects poorly on you.
This article dives deep into what broken links are, how they happen, why they matter for SEO and usability, and how to find and fix them without stress. Whether you’re a website owner, blogger, or SEO enthusiast, this guide will help you stay on top of your site’s health.
What Are Broken Links?
Broken links, also known as dead links, are hyperlinks that no longer lead to their original web pages. Clicking them typically results in an error message like:
- 404 Not Found
- Server Not Found
- This Page Doesn’t Exist
There are two main types of broken links:
- Internal broken links – These point to another page within your own website that no longer exists or has been moved.
- External broken links – These lead to pages on other websites that have been deleted or changed.
Broken links are common, especially on older sites with lots of content or pages that are updated frequently. While they might seem like small issues, they can pile up and cause serious problems if ignored.
Why Broken Links Are a Problem
1. They Hurt User Experience
Imagine reading a guide and clicking a link expecting more details – but you land on an error page. That’s a dead end for your reader. Over time, broken links make your content feel outdated or unreliable.
2. They Can Lower Your Search Engine Rankings
Search engines like Google want to deliver quality results to users. Broken links are seen as a signal of poor site maintenance. If your site has many dead links, it could negatively affect your rankings.
Google’s own guidelines mention that user experience and link quality impact how your site is evaluated.
3. They Can Reduce Site Authority
Your website’s credibility suffers when visitors repeatedly hit dead links. If you link to sources that no longer exist, your site seems less trustworthy.
4. They Waste Crawl Budget
Search engines use crawlers (bots) to index your website. If these bots keep running into broken links, they waste time crawling dead ends instead of useful content. This can affect how often your site is updated in search results.
What Causes Broken Links?
Broken links can happen for many reasons, such as:
| Cause | Description |
| Page deleted or moved | URL destination no longer exists or has been changed |
| Typing errors in URL | Link was added with an incorrect web address |
| Changed site structure | Folder names or permalinks were updated |
| Linked external page was removed | The other site has deleted the page you linked to |
| Website has expired or shut down | Domain no longer exists or was taken offline |
| Plugin or theme conflicts (in CMS) | Some WordPress themes or plugins can interfere with links |
Even if you maintain your own links well, external links are out of your control – which is why regular checks are important.
How to Find Broken Links on Your Website
Finding broken links manually is time-consuming. Thankfully, there are tools that make the job easier:
1. Online Tools
- Broken Link Checker – Free tool to scan websites for dead links.
- Dead Link Checker – Checks both internal and external links on your site.
- Ahrefs Site Audit or SEMrush Site Audit – Paid tools offering detailed broken link reports and more SEO data.
2. Browser Extensions
- Check My Links (Chrome Extension) – Highlights valid and broken links directly on a webpage.
- Link Checker – Another Chrome extension that checks all the links on a page for validity.
3. CMS Plugins
- WordPress Users: Try the Broken Link Checker Plugin – It scans and reports broken links directly in your dashboard.
4. Google Search Console
Go to Index > Pages > Why pages aren’t indexed to view crawl errors and broken internal links flagged by Google.
Visit: Google Search Console
Quick Tip:
Use automated tools weekly or monthly to keep things in check. You don’t need to go hunting every day, but regular scans prevent issues from growing.
How to Fix Broken Links
Once you’ve identified broken links, here’s what you can do:
1. Update the Link
If the destination page has moved, find the new URL and update the link.
2. Replace with a New Resource
Can’t find the original source? Replace it with another reliable, related page.
3. Remove the Link
If the content doesn’t add value anymore, simply remove the link.
4. Redirect the URL
For internal links pointing to deleted pages, set up a 301 redirect to guide users to a relevant working page.
Fixing Broken Links in Bulk (for WordPress users):
- Use the Broken Link Checker plugin.
- Go to the broken link list in your dashboard.
- Edit, update, or unlink directly without leaving the interface.
How to Prevent Broken Links
While you can’t prevent every broken link, you can minimize them:
- Set regular link audits – Monthly or quarterly scans help you stay ahead.
- Use consistent URLs – Avoid changing permalinks once a post goes live.
- Use redirect tools – If a page is removed, set up a redirect immediately.
- Avoid linking to unstable sources – Prefer linking to official websites or pages with long-term value.
Consider using a spreadsheet to log critical outbound links, especially in evergreen content or important landing pages.
Conclusion
Broken links are small but powerful signals. They affect how users see your website and how search engines rank it. Ignoring them means risking lost traffic, reduced trust, and falling search rankings.
But the good news? They’re easy to manage once you have a process.
Use automated tools to scan your site regularly. Fix broken links as soon as they appear. And when you update or delete pages, always check for internal links pointing to them.
A well-maintained website shows visitors – and Google – that you’re serious about quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a broken link?
A broken link is a hyperlink that leads to a page that no longer exists or cannot be accessed, often resulting in a 404 error.
How do broken links affect SEO?
Broken links harm SEO by disrupting user experience and signaling poor site maintenance to search engines, which may lower your rankings.
How to find broken links?
You can find broken links using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Search Console, or browser extensions like Check My Links.
How to fix broken links?
Fix broken links by updating incorrect URLs, replacing outdated links with new ones, or setting up 301 redirects to working pages.
How to test broken links in a website?
Test links by using browser tools or site audit platforms that crawl your website and highlight dead or inaccessible URLs.
What causes a broken link?
Common causes include deleted pages, changed URLs, typing errors, or linking to external pages that no longer exist.
Should broken links be removed or fixed?
Fixing is best. Update the URL if possible, or replace it with a working alternative. Remove links only if they add no value.
How often should you check for broken links?
It’s recommended to check for broken links every 1–3 months, depending on your content volume and update frequency.
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