Broken Link
A broken link, also known as a dead link, is a hyperlink that no longer works because the destination page or resource is missing, moved, or deleted. When a user clicks on a broken link, they usually land on a 404 error page or receive a message that the content could not be found.
Broken links are a common issue on websites of all sizes and can affect both internal links (links to pages within the same site) and external links (links to other websites).
What causes broken links?
Broken links can occur for a variety of reasons:
- The linked page has been deleted or removed.
- The URL was typed incorrectly (misspelled or with wrong formatting).
- The page has been moved to a new location without a proper redirect.
- The website or domain being linked to is no longer active.
- File names or folder structures have changed.
Even well-maintained websites can develop broken links over time as the web evolves and content is updated or removed.
Why broken links matter
Broken links negatively impact both user experience and SEO:
1. Poor user experience
When visitors click a link expecting helpful content and instead land on an error page, it creates frustration and can lead them to leave your site — increasing your bounce rate.
2. SEO impact
Search engines like Google consider broken links as a sign of poor site maintenance. A large number of dead links can:
- Hurt your site’s crawlability, especially if search bots encounter too many dead ends.
- Waste crawl budget on pages that no longer exist.
- Negatively affect your site’s authority and trustworthiness.
How to find broken links
There are several ways to detect broken links on your site:
- Google Search Console – Reports crawl errors and 404 pages.
- SEO tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Semrush – Offer detailed link audits.
- Online link checkers – Free tools like BrokenLinkCheck.com or Dead Link Checker can scan your site for issues.
How to fix broken links
- Update the link – Replace it with a correct or current URL.
- Remove the link – If there’s no relevant replacement, it may be better to remove it.
- Redirect the old URL – Set up a 301 redirect if the page has simply moved to a new location.
- Regularly audit your site – Use automated tools to periodically check for broken links and keep your content fresh and functional.
In summary, a broken link is a link that leads to a missing or non-existent page, which can harm both user experience and search engine performance. Regularly checking for and fixing broken links is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, SEO-friendly website.