What are BROKEN LINKS? | & How do You Find & Fix Them?

Broken links, also known as dead links or link rot, are hyperlinks on a web page that no longer lead to the intended destination. Instead of reaching the desired content, clicking on a broken link typically results in an error page, commonly known as a 404 error. Broken links can negatively impact user experience, damage your website’s credibility, and hinder your search engine rankings.

Identifying and fixing broken links is crucial for maintaining a user-friendly and well-optimized website. Here’s how you can find and address broken links effectively:

1. **Regular Website Crawling**: Utilize website crawling tools to regularly scan your website for broken links. These tools can identify and report broken links across your entire website, enabling you to take prompt corrective action.

2. **Google Search Console**: Leverage Google Search Console to monitor and manage the health of your website. The “Coverage” report within Google Search Console provides insights into any detected issues, including broken links, that need attention.

3. **Manual Checking**: Periodically review your website’s content and verify the functionality of embedded hyperlinks. This manual approach can help uncover broken links that automated tools may have missed.

Fixing broken links is equally essential, and here’s how you can do it:

1. **Update or Remove**: If the destination page of a broken link still exists but has been relocated, update the link to point to its new location. Alternatively, consider removing the broken link if the content is no longer available.

2. **301 Redirect**: In cases where a webpage has permanently moved to a new URL, implementing a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one can effectively address broken link issues and preserve SEO value.

3. **Custom 404 Page**: Create a custom 404 error page to provide helpful navigation options and direct users back to relevant areas of your website when they encounter broken links.

By actively monitoring and addressing broken links, you can enhance the overall user experience, maintain a positive reputation, and support your website’s search engine optimization efforts. Regular maintenance and attention to broken links are essential for ensuring that your website remains reliable, user-friendly, and well-positioned in search engine results.

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