Why Fixing Broken Backlinks is Crucial for SEO and Website Success

Broken Backlinks: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Fix Them (The Ultimate Guide)

Introduction

Have you ever clicked on a link expecting answers, only to land on a dreaded 404 page?

Frustrating, right?

Now imagine that happening to someone trying to access your website from another site. That’s a broken backlink—and while it may seem small, it’s actually a big deal for your SEO, traffic, and online credibility.

Whether you’re an SEO expert, blogger, or digital marketer in the United States, this guide will help you understand what broken backlinks are, how they hurt your site, and exactly how to find and fix them using the right tools and techniques.

Let’s dive in.

What Are Broken Backlinks?

📌 Definition

Broken backlinks are external links from other websites that point to a page on your site that no longer exists, has been deleted, or was moved without a redirect.

In simpler terms: someone tried to send traffic your way—and that link leads to nowhere.

Why Broken Backlinks Hurt Your Website

If you’re thinking, “It’s just one link, no biggie,” think again.

Here’s why broken backlinks are bad news:

• Lost SEO value: Google treats backlinks like votes of confidence. A broken link loses that vote.
• Bad user experience: Visitors landing on broken pages might bounce and never return.
• Missed referral traffic: The link could have been sending qualified visitors—now it’s just sending them to a dead end.
• Reduced authority: When other websites link to broken pages, it reflects poorly on your site’s maintenance.

Common Causes of Broken Backlinks

Understanding the cause can help you prevent them in the future:

• You deleted or moved the target page without adding a 301 redirect
• You changed your URL structure (e.g., after a website redesign)
• Typos in the linking website’s URL
• Expired landing pages or product URLs

How to Find Broken Backlinks (Step-by-Step)

Now let’s get practical. Here’s how to find broken backlinks pointing to your website.

Step 1: Use a Broken Link Building Tool

There are several tools that specialize in scanning for broken backlinks:

📸 Insert an image of a broken backlink report from Ahrefs or SEMrush here

Step 2: Filter by 404 Errors or Broken Pages

In Ahrefs, for example, go to: Site Explorer → Backlinks → Show Only → “404” to see backlinks pointing to broken pages.

This gives you a full list of lost link opportunities you can reclaim.

How to Fix Broken Backlinks

Once you’ve found them, here’s how you fix them:

Option 1: Recreate the Missing Page

If the page was deleted by mistake or is still valuable, bring it back. This is the easiest fix for reclaiming lost SEO value.

Option 2: Redirect the Broken URL

Set up a 301 redirect from the broken page to a related, working page. This preserves the backlink equity and helps users land in the right place.

Option 3: Reach Out to the Linking Site

If the broken backlink resulted from a typo or wrong URL, politely email the referring site and ask them to update the link.

Here’s a quick email template:

Subject: Quick fix for a broken link on your website

Hi [Name],

I noticed you’re linking to [your broken URL] from [their article]. That page has moved—would you mind updating it to [new URL]?

Appreciate your help!

Best,
[Your Name]

Option 4: Replace With a Better Page

If the original page is outdated, create a new, more relevant page and request a link replacement from the source.

Broken Link Building: Turn Broken Backlinks Into SEO Wins

Here’s the silver lining—you can actually use broken link building tools to find broken links on other websites, then offer your content as a replacement.

How it works:

1. Use tools like Ahrefs or Broken Link Builder to find broken outbound links on high-authority sites in your niche.
2. Create or repurpose content that fits the topic of the dead link.
3. Reach out to the site owner offering your resource as a replacement.

This method not only earns you quality backlinks but also builds relationships and authority in your industry.

Pro Tips to Avoid Future Broken Backlinks

✅ Use consistent, permanent URL structures
✅ Always set up 301 redirects when moving or deleting pages
✅ Monitor your backlink profile regularly with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush
✅ Keep track of site migrations and CMS changes
✅ Use Google Search Console to watch for crawl errors

Real Example: How I Recovered 10+ High-DA Links in One Afternoon

Let me share a quick win.

I once audited a client’s site that had recently been redesigned. In the process, over 30 old blog URLs were removed without redirects. Using a broken backlink checker, I identified several valuable links from sites like Forbes and Business Insider pointing to those missing pages.

Within two hours, I recreated the top-performing pages and set up redirects. Rankings improved in less than a month.

Moral of the story? Don’t ignore broken backlinks—they’re often low-hanging fruit with high SEO value.

1. What are broken backlinks?

Broken backlinks are incoming links from other websites that point to a page on your site that no longer exists or returns an error like 404. These links were once valuable, but now they lead users (and search engines) to dead ends—hurting SEO, user experience, and link equity.

2. Why do broken backlinks matter for SEO?

Broken backlinks can negatively impact SEO by wasting valuable link juice. Search engines like Google treat backlinks as trust signals, but when those links lead to broken pages, they lose value. Regularly checking for broken backlinks ensures you preserve domain authority and maintain good user experience.

3. How can I find broken backlinks on my website?

To find broken backlinks, use a broken link building tool such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console. These tools scan your backlink profile and report links that point to missing or error-prone pages. You can then decide whether to redirect, recreate, or update those pages.

4. What is a broken link building tool?

A broken link building tool is software designed to detect broken internal and external links on a website. Advanced versions like Ahrefs and SEMrush can even show broken backlinks pointing to your site, helping you reclaim lost link authority by fixing or replacing outdated URLs.

5. How do broken backlinks happen?

Broken backlinks usually occur when:

• You delete or move a page without a redirect
• The linking site has a typo in the URL
• Your website structure changes after a redesign
• You discontinue products, services, or campaigns
  Using a broken link building tool helps identify and manage these issues quickly.

6. What are the best tools to check for broken backlinks?

Here are top tools for checking broken backlinks:

• Ahrefs – Site Explorer’s “Broken Backlinks” filter
• SEMrush – Backlink Audit + Link Issues tab
• Google Search Console – Crawl Errors section
• Screaming Frog – Desktop crawler for link auditing
• Broken Link Checker by Dr. Link Check – Web-based scanner

Each of these tools allows you to find, analyze, and fix broken links efficiently.

7. Can broken backlinks be fixed?

Yes! You can fix broken backlinks in several ways:

• Recreate the deleted page if the content is still relevant
• 301 redirect the broken URL to a new or related page
• Contact the linking site and request an update to the correct link
  Fixing broken backlinks restores lost SEO value and improves user navigation.

8. How often should I check for broken backlinks?

You should check for broken backlinks at least once a month. If your site undergoes frequent updates or content changes, check bi-weekly. Regular audits using a broken link building tool help maintain site health and ensure you’re not losing valuable link authority.

9. Do broken backlinks hurt my search engine rankings?

Yes. Broken backlinks lead to lost link equity, meaning Google sees your site as less authoritative. Over time, this can result in lower search engine rankings, especially if you lose backlinks from high-authority domains. That’s why timely link maintenance is essential.

10. What should I do when I find a broken backlink pointing to my site?

When you find a broken backlink, you can:

• Redirect the broken URL to a similar working page
• Recreate the original page if the content is still useful
• Reach out to the website owner and suggest an updated URL
  These actions will help recover lost traffic and link value.

11. Can I turn broken backlinks into an SEO opportunity?

Absolutely. You can use broken link building as a strategy to build new backlinks. By finding broken outbound links on other websites and offering your content as a replacement, you can gain quality backlinks while helping others maintain their site’s integrity.

12. How can I prevent broken backlinks in the future?

Preventing broken backlinks involves:

• Using consistent URL structures
• Setting 301 redirects when removing pages
• Updating internal links after content migrations
• Monitoring your backlink profile with a broken link building tool
  Preventive action is key to maintaining your SEO authority.

13. Are all broken backlinks equally harmful?

Not necessarily. Broken backlinks from high-authority or high-traffic sites are more damaging than those from low-quality sites. Prioritize fixing links from reputable sources first to recover maximum link equity and SEO benefit.

14. Can I use broken backlinks to grow my backlink profile?

Yes, this is known as broken link building. You can use tools to find broken outbound links on relevant websites, then contact the site owner offering your content as a suitable replacement. It’s a win-win—you help them fix a problem, and you earn a backlink in return.

15. What’s the easiest way to start fixing broken backlinks today?

Start by signing up for a broken link building tool like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Run a backlink audit on your domain, identify pages returning 404 errors, and either recreate the content or redirect the URLs. Then track your changes to measure SEO improvements over time.

Conclusion

Broken backlinks are more than just a nuisance—they’re lost opportunities for traffic, trust, and rankings. The good news? They’re easy to find, easy to fix, and even easier to turn into new backlinks through smart outreach.

If you’re serious about your SEO strategy, don’t wait for search engines to flag the problem. Use a broken link building tool, monitor your backlink profile, and take action regularly.

Have you ever discovered broken backlinks on your site? What tool do you use to monitor them? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

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By AliBacklink Team Last updated May 3, 2025

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