Broken links are a common yet often overlooked issue that can harm your website’s SEO, user experience, and credibility. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what broken links are, why they occur, and why fixing them should be a priority for every website owner.
Plus, we’ll introduce you to the best broken link checker tools (including our own free broken link checker) to help you scan your website for broken links efficiently.
What Are Broken Links?
A broken link (also called a “dead link” or “404 error”) is a hyperlink that leads to a missing or unavailable webpage. When users click on a broken link, they see errors such as:
- 404 Not Found (most common)
- 403 Forbidden
- 500 Internal Server Error
- 410 Gone
Broken links can be:
✔ Internal Links – Links on your own website that point to non-existent pages.
✔ External Links – Links on other websites pointing to your broken pages.
✔ Outbound Links – Links on your site that point to dead pages on other domains.
Why Do Broken Links Happen?
Several reasons can lead to broken links, including:
- Page Deletion or Relocation – If a page is deleted or its URL changes without a 301 redirect, any links pointing to it will break.
- Website Restructuring – Changing your site’s architecture without updating internal links causes 404 errors.
- Typos in URLs – Incorrectly entered links (e.g.,
yourdomain.com/blog-postvs.yourdomain.com/blg-post) will fail. - External Websites Going Down – If you link to another site and that site removes its content, your outbound links break.
- Expired Content – Some pages (e.g., limited-time offers) may be removed, leaving dead links behind.
Why Should You Fix Broken Links? (SEO & UX Impact)
1. Improves User Experience (UX)
- Broken links frustrate visitors, increasing bounce rates and reducing engagement.
- A smooth browsing experience keeps users on your site longer.
2. Boosts SEO Performance
- Google penalizes sites with too many broken links, affecting rankings.
- Fixing them helps search engines index your site efficiently.
3. Preserves Link Equity (SEO Value)
- Broken internal links and backlinks waste link juice, weakening your SEO.
- Redirecting or fixing them ensures ranking power is preserved.
4. Enhances Crawlability
- Search engine bots waste crawl budget on broken links instead of indexing good pages.
- Fixing them helps Googlebot crawl and rank your content better.
5. Maintains Credibility & Trust
- A site full of 404 errors looks unprofessional and outdated.
- Keeping links functional improves brand authority.
How to Find & Fix Broken Links (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Use a Broken Link Checker Tool
To scan your website for broken links, use these tools:
Free Tools:
🔹 Google Search Console (Coverage Report) – Identifies 404 errors in Google’s index.
🔹 Dead Link Checker (Online) – Scans for broken internal & external links.
🔹 Broken Link Checker (WordPress Plugin) – Automatically detects 404 links on WP sites.
Premium Tools:
🔹 Ahrefs / SEMrush Broken Link Checker – Great for finding broken backlinks.
🔹 Screaming Frog SEO Spider – Crawls your entire site to detect 404 errors.
Step 2: Fix or Redirect Broken Links
- Update the Link – If the page exists but the URL changed, correct the link.
- Set Up a 301 Redirect – Redirect old URLs to new ones to preserve SEO value.
- Remove or Replace Dead Links – If content is gone, delete the link or replace it with a relevant alternative.
- Contact Webmasters for Broken Backlinks – If other sites link to your broken pages, ask them to update the URL.
Step 3: Monitor Regularly
- Broken links can reappear over time.
- Schedule monthly checks using a website link checker to stay error-free.
Best Practices to Prevent Broken Links
✅ Use a Reliable Broken Link Scanner – Regularly check your site for 404 errors.
✅ Set Up Proper Redirects – Always use 301 redirects when moving pages.
✅ Audit External Links – Ensure outbound links are still active.
✅ Fix Broken Backlinks – Use tools like Ahrefs to find and fix broken backlinks.
Best Broken Link Checker Tools in 2025
Looking for the best link checker? Here are our top picks:
| Tool | Best For | Free/Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Screaming Frog | Deep website crawls | Free (500 URLs) / Paid |
| Ahrefs | Finding broken backlinks | Paid |
| SEMrush | SEO audit + broken link detection | Paid |
| Google Search Console | Google-indexed 404 errors | Free |
Final Thoughts
Broken links harm SEO, frustrate users, and damage your site’s credibility. By using a broken link finder tool, you can:
✔ Improve rankings
✔ Boost user experience
✔ Maintain a professional website
