At some point, you must have seen the 404 Page Not Found error on your blog. This error appears when a link on your blog or website gets broken. Such broken links are referred to as “Broken Links.”
If you are also facing the issue of broken links, make sure to read this article till the end. By the time you finish, you will easily be able to fix broken links.
What is a Broken Link in SEO?
A broken link on any website is a link that leads to a webpage that no longer exists on that site. When a user clicks on such a link, they see a 404 Page Not Found error.
Broken links negatively impact both users and search engines. A website with too many broken links often suffers in search engine rankings.
In simple words a broken link is a link whose webpage no longer exists. All the pages on your website showing a 404 error are broken links. Broken links are also known as dead links.
Causes of Broken Links
Now that you understand what broken links are, let’s see how they are created. Unless you know the causes, you won’t be able to fix them. Broken links can occur for several reasons, such as:
Deleting a Post or Page
The most common reason is deleting a page or post. Once deleted, the page no longer exists on the site, and its link becomes broken.
Changing the Permalink (URL)
If you change the URL of a post or page, the old URL becomes a broken link.
For example:
Old URL – https://example.com/post-name
New URL – https://example.com/new-post-name
Now, the old one is a broken link.
From Comments
Users sometimes add their website URLs in your blog comments. If they later change or delete that page, those links turn into broken links on your site.
From External Links
When you add external links in your blog posts, and later the owner deletes that page, those external links become broken too.
How to Find Broken Links on Your Website?
After knowing the causes, the next step is to find broken links on your website. There are two main ways:
Using Plugins (for WordPress users)
Install and activate the Broken Link Checker plugin. From its dashboard, you’ll see a complete list of all broken links on your website.
Using Online Tools
If you are not on WordPress, you can use online tools. Simply search “Broken Link Checker” on Google. Enter your website URL, solve a simple captcha, and the tool will generate a list of broken links.
Some recommended tools are:
How to Fix Broken Links?
Once you find the broken links, the next step is to fix them. There are several methods:
Using 301 Redirection
The most effective way is to set up a 301 Redirect. This redirects the broken link to an existing, relevant page on your site.
Recreate the Same Webpage
You can also recreate a new page and set it under the broken link. This way, users still find relevant content.
Disadvantages of Broken Links in SEO
Broken links have multiple negative effects on SEO, such as:
- Poor user experience
- Drop in search rankings
- Negative impact on website reputation
- Loss of user trust in your site
- Increased bounce rate
After reading this article, you must have understood what broken links are in SEO and how you can fix them if they exist on your website. Broken links should be fixed as soon as possible because they have a negative impact on SEO.
I hope, friends, that you liked this article I wrote. Do share it on social media, and if you have any questions related to broken links, feel free to ask in the comment box.
