The Ultimate Guide to Broken Link Repair: Fix Broken Links and Improve SEO

Broken Link Repair: How to Fix Broken Links and Reclaim SEO Value

Introduction

Imagine you’re walking through a store, following signs to a product—only to find the shelf empty.

Frustrating, right?

That’s exactly how visitors (and search engines) feel when they land on a broken link on your website. Whether it’s internal or external, a broken link creates a dead end that hurts user experience, reduces trust, and negatively impacts your search engine rankings.

If you’re running a blog, business site, or eCommerce platform in the United States, broken link repair should be a part of your regular website maintenance. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to fix broken links, tools to use, how to prevent them in the future, and why they matter more than you might think.

What Is Broken Link Repair?

🚧 The Basics

Broken link repair is the process of identifying, fixing, or replacing hyperlinks that no longer lead to a valid web page. These links typically result in errors such as 404 Not Found, 403 Forbidden, or 500 Server Error.

🔗 Common Causes of Broken Links

• The destination page was deleted or moved
• The URL was misspelled or outdated
• The linked website no longer exists
• Improper redirect implementation

Why Broken Link Repair Is Crucial for SEO

Google’s bots crawl websites by following links. When they hit a dead end, it’s like losing a breadcrumb trail. Too many broken links can signal that your site is outdated or poorly maintained.

Negative Impacts of Broken Links:

• Lower domain authority and page ranking
• Reduced crawlability and indexing
• Higher bounce rates from frustrated users
• Lost referral traffic and link equity

On the flip side, when you fix broken links, you:

• Reclaim lost SEO value
• Improve user experience
• Boost trust and credibility
• Maintain a clean, well-structured site

How to Fix Broken Links: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break down the process of broken link repair so you can apply it easily—even if you’re not a tech wizard.

1. Scan Your Website for Broken Links

Start by identifying broken URLs. Use tools like:

💡 Insert an image of Screaming Frog’s broken link report here.

2. Categorize the Broken Links

Not all broken links are created equal. Separate them into:

• Internal links (within your own site)
• External links (to other websites)

3. Repair Internal Broken Links

To fix broken links internally:

• Update incorrect URLs
• Redirect the old URL to a new or related page using a 301 redirect
• Recreate valuable pages that were deleted by mistake

4. Repair External Broken Links

For links to other websites:

• Replace the broken link with a working, up-to-date source
• Remove the link if no alternative exists
• Use tools to regularly validate and rotate outbound links

5. Reclaim Broken Backlinks

Did a high-authority site link to one of your now-deleted pages?

Reclaim the SEO juice by:

• Recreating the original page
• Redirecting the broken URL to an updated page
• Reaching out to the linking site with a corrected URL

How Often Should You Check for Broken Links?

Frequency depends on the size and activity of your website. Here’s a quick guide:

Set a reminder or automate scans using plugins or services to make broken link repair a habit, not a headache.

Pro Tips to Prevent Broken Links

🚀 Stay proactive with these link-saving strategies:

• Use consistent URL structures: Avoid renaming pages without a redirect plan.
• Always use 301 redirects: When moving or deleting pages, redirect users to the next best destination.
• Monitor your backlinks: Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to ensure you aren’t losing valuable inbound links.
• Limit content pruning: When deleting content, evaluate the SEO impact of any existing backlinks.
• Update outdated blog posts: Periodically revisit old posts to check outbound links.

Broken Link Repair vs Broken Link Building

Let’s clear up a common confusion.

• Broken link repair is about fixing broken links on your website (internal and external).
• Broken link building is a strategy where you find broken links on other websites, then offer your own content as a replacement—earning a backlink.

Both are important, but broken link repair comes first if you want a healthy website foundation.

Real-Life Example: Broken Link Repair Saves SEO

A client of mine, a U.S.-based SaaS startup, noticed a 20% drop in traffic after a site migration. Using Screaming Frog, we found 150+ broken internal links and dozens of broken backlinks. After setting up redirects and updating anchor URLs, their organic traffic rebounded within 4 weeks—and actually exceeded their previous traffic by 12%.

The takeaway? Fixing broken links isn’t just maintenance—it’s an SEO win.

1. What is broken link repair and why is it important?

Broken link repair is the process of identifying and fixing hyperlinks on your website that lead to non-existent or error pages. It’s crucial for maintaining good SEO, user experience, and credibility. When you fix broken links, you help search engines crawl your site properly and keep users engaged.

2. How do broken links affect SEO?

Broken links disrupt the way search engines crawl and index your website. They reduce your site’s authority, increase bounce rates, and can lead to lower rankings. Regular broken link repair ensures that link equity is preserved and SEO performance remains strong.

3. What causes broken links on a website?

Broken links can result from:

• Deleted or moved web pages
• URL changes without redirects
• Typing errors in hyperlinks
• External websites removing linked pages
  To prevent these issues, regularly scan and fix broken links across your website.

4. How can I check my website for broken links?

You can use tools like:

• Google Search Console
• Screaming Frog SEO Spider
• Ahrefs Site Explorer
• Broken Link Checker (WordPress plugin)
  These tools identify broken links so you can begin the broken link repair process efficiently.

5. What’s the difference between internal and external broken links?

• Internal broken links point to pages within your website that no longer exist.
• External broken links direct to other websites that have removed or moved their content.
  Both types should be fixed to maintain a seamless user experience and strong SEO.

6. Can broken links cause traffic loss?

Yes. If visitors land on broken pages, they’re more likely to leave your site, resulting in a higher bounce rate and reduced conversions. Performing regular broken link repair helps retain traffic and improves site engagement.

7. How often should I check for and fix broken links?

For most websites, a monthly audit is recommended. High-traffic or frequently updated sites should check every 1–2 weeks. Scheduled maintenance ensures ongoing broken link repair and SEO consistency.

8. What tools are best for broken link repair?

Some of the most effective tools to fix broken links include:

• Ahrefs for backlink analysis
• SEMrush for full site audits
• Screaming Frog for crawling and error detection
• Dr. Link Check for quick scans
  Choose the tool that best suits your site’s size and complexity.

9. How do I fix broken links on my website?

To fix broken links, you can:

• Update the link with a correct or updated URL
• Redirect the broken URL to a relevant page using a 301 redirect
• Remove the link entirely if no replacement is available
  These fixes help preserve SEO and improve user navigation.

10. Should I recreate deleted pages with broken backlinks?

Yes, if the broken link points to a high-authority backlink, it’s often worth recreating the original page. This is a smart broken link repair strategy to reclaim lost link equity and improve your site’s domain authority.

11. Can broken link repair improve my rankings?

Absolutely. When you fix broken links, especially those with high SEO value, you help Google crawl your site more effectively. This can lead to better indexing, improved rankings, and increased organic traffic.

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

Prevent future link issues by:

• Using consistent and permanent URL structures
• Applying 301 redirects after deleting or moving pages
• Regularly checking external links for changes
  Proactive broken link repair reduces long-term SEO damage.

13. What is the role of 301 redirects in broken link repair?

A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved. When used in broken link repair, it ensures that users and search engines land on the correct page, preserving link juice and avoiding 404 errors.

14. Is broken link repair necessary for small websites?

Yes. Even small websites benefit from routine broken link repair. A few broken links can still frustrate users and hurt your site’s reputation. No matter your site’s size, maintaining link health is essential.

15. Can I automate broken link repair for my website?

You can automate detection, but not all repairs. Use tools like Ahrefs or Broken Link Checker to find broken links, then apply manual fixes or set up redirects. While automation helps identify issues, fixing broken links often requires a human touch for accuracy.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, here’s the bottom line:

Ignoring broken links is like ignoring a leaky faucet—it may seem small, but it can cause major damage over time. Regular broken link repair is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, optimized website that both users and search engines love.

By using the right tools, fixing broken links promptly, and preventing future link rot, you not only protect your SEO—you enhance it.

✅ Ready to start your own broken link repair audit?

Leave a comment if you have questions, or share your favorite tools and tips for managing broken links. Let’s fix the web—one link at a time!

By AliBacklink Team Last updated May 3, 2025

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