Why broken links matter
A broken link points to a page that no longer exists, usually returning a 404 Not Found error. Broken links frustrate visitors, make your site look neglected and waste the time search engine crawlers spend on your site. Links to deleted pages also lose the value that could have flowed to a working page. Fixing them is one of the quickest SEO wins there is.
This broken link checker scans a page and tests each link it finds:
- Internal links to other pages on your own site
- External links to other websites
- Images, if you tick the option
Each link gets a status code, so you know exactly what is wrong. You can filter the table to show only problems and download a CSV to share with your developer.
How to find broken links
- Enter the URL of the page you want to scan, such as your homepage or a long blog post.
- Choose how many links to check (up to 200).
- Click Find broken links and watch the progress counter.
- Review the results. Red badges are broken, orange ones are redirects.
Understanding the status codes
| Code | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | OK | Nothing |
| 301 / 308 | Permanent redirect | Update the link to the final URL |
| 302 / 307 | Temporary redirect | Check if it should be permanent |
| 404 / 410 | Page not found / gone | Fix the link or remove it |
| 5xx | Server error | Try again later, contact the site owner |
Some websites block automated checks and return 403 even though the page works in a browser. Click the link to confirm before removing it. Mozilla keeps a full list of HTTP status codes, and Google explains how HTTP errors affect crawling.
How to fix broken links
If you moved a page, add a 301 redirect from the old address to the new one, then update your internal links so they point straight to the new URL. For external links, find a working replacement or remove the link. Test your redirects with the Redirect Checker, and keep your XML sitemap free of dead pages. A full Website SEO Audit can spot other issues at the same time.
Where broken links come from
Links rarely break because of one big mistake. They break slowly, one by one:
- Deleted or renamed pages. You change a URL from
/services-2/to/seo-services/and forget to add a redirect. - External websites change. A news site, a supplier or a government page you linked to moves or disappears.
- Typos. One wrong letter in a link is enough to send visitors to a 404 page.
- Site migrations. Moving to a new domain, a new CMS or from HTTP to HTTPS often leaves old links behind.
- Expired campaigns. Offer pages and event pages get removed after the promotion ends.
The longer a site exists, the more broken links it collects. That is why checking once a year is not enough for an active website.
How broken links affect SEO and users
A single broken link will not ruin your rankings. But many broken links send a clear signal that a site is not maintained. They also:
- Waste crawl time. Search engine bots follow links. Every dead end is time not spent on your real pages.
- Lose link value. If other sites link to a page that no longer exists, the value of those links is lost unless you redirect the old URL.
- Frustrate visitors. People who hit a 404 page often leave the site completely, especially on mobile.
- Hurt conversions. A broken "Buy now" or "Contact us" link costs you real money.
Internal vs. external links
Internal links point to other pages on your own site. You control them, so fix them first, either by updating the link or by redirecting the old URL with a 301. Check the redirect afterwards with the Redirect Checker.
External links point to other websites. When they break, replace them with a new source, link to an archived copy, or remove the link. The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine often has a saved copy of pages that have disappeared.
Make your 404 page helpful
Even with regular checks, some visitors will land on missing pages. A good 404 page:
- Clearly says the page was not found, and returns a real 404 status code, not a 200.
- Offers a search box and links to your most popular pages.
- Uses the same design and menu as the rest of the site, so people do not think they left it.
Google's guide to HTTP status codes explains why a "soft 404" (a missing page that returns 200) causes problems.
A simple link maintenance routine
Check your homepage and main menu pages monthly, plus every new blog post before you publish it. After a redesign, check every template. For a full list of your URLs, generate a sitemap with the XML Sitemap Generator and work through the important pages one by one. Combine it with the Website SEO Audit for a complete health check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it scan my whole website?
It checks all links on one page. Run it on your key pages, or ask us about a full-site crawl.
Why does a working link show as an error?
Some sites block bots, use heavy protection or time out. Open the link yourself to confirm.
How often should I check for broken links?
Once a month is a good habit for most small business sites, and after any redesign or URL change.
Is it free?
Yes, free with a fair-use limit.
What is the difference between a 404 and a 410?
Both mean the page is not available. 404 means "not found", while 410 means "gone on purpose". Search engines may drop a 410 page from the index a little faster.
Should I redirect every broken URL to the homepage?
No. Redirect to the most relevant page. Sending everything to the homepage can be treated as a soft 404 and confuses visitors.
Does the checker follow nofollow links?
It checks every link it finds, including nofollow links, because visitors can still click them.
Last updated: October 25, 2026