How to Find and Fix Broken Links on Your Website in 2025

Why do broken links matter? 🚫

Let me share something that happened to me last year – I lost a potential client because they found several broken links on my portfolio site.

It was embarrassing, but it taught me a valuable lesson about website maintenance. Broken links aren’t just annoying; they can seriously damage your site’s credibility, SEO, and user experience.

The Real Impact of Broken Links 📊

SEO Impact

Decreased search engine rankings
Reduced crawler efficiency
Lower domain authority
Wasted crawl budget
Negative user signals

User Experience Impact

Frustrated visitors
Higher bounce rates
Reduced trust
Lost conversions
Damaged brand reputation

Types of Broken Links You Need to Find 🔍

1. Internal Broken Links

Navigation menu links
Content links
Image links
Resource links
Footer links

2. External Broken Links

Outbound resource links
Reference links
Partner links
Affiliate links
Social media links

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Broken Links

Method 1: Using Professional Tools

Google Search Console

Log into Google Search Console
Navigate to “Coverage” report
Check “Not Found (404)” errors
Export the data for analysis

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Download and install (free for up to 500 URLs)
Enter your website URL
Start the crawl
Filter by “Response Codes”
Export broken links report

Ahrefs Site Audit

Set up a project
Run a site audit
Check “Broken Links” report
Analyze and export results

Method 2: Browser Extensions 🌐

Check My Links

Install the Chrome extension
Open your webpage
Click the extension icon
Review highlighted links
Document broken ones

Broken Link Checker

Add to browser
Scan pages individually
Review results
Export findings

How to Fix Different Types of Broken Links 🛠️

1. Internal Link Fixes

Changed URLs


<!-- Old URL -->

<a href="/old-blog-post">Read More</a>

<!-- New URL -->

<a href="/updated-blog-post">Read More</a>

Missing Files

Restore the missing file
Update file location
Update all references

Deleted Content

Implement 301 redirects
Update internal links
Remove or replace references

2. External Link Fixes

Dead Websites

Find alternative resources
Remove outdated links
Update with new references

Moved Content

Locate new URL
Update link
Verify new destination

Preventive Measures for the Future 🛡️

1. Regular Monitoring

Weekly automated scans
Monthly manual checks
Quarterly deep audits
Annual content review

2. Documentation System

Keep URL inventory
Track redirects
Document changes
Maintain changelog

3. Technical Solutions

Implement Proper Redirects


# .htaccess example

Redirect 301 /old-page.html /new-page.html

RedirectPermanent /old-section/ /new-section/

Use Relative URLs When Possible


<!-- Instead of -->

<a href="https://yoursite.com/about">About</a>

<!-- Use -->

<a href="/about">About</a>

Best Tools for Link Management (2025) 🔧

Free Tools

Google Search Console
- Basic link monitoring
- Error reporting
- Free forever
Broken Link Checker (Online)
- Simple interface
- Basic reporting
- Limited features

Paid Tools

Semrush ($139.95/month)
- Comprehensive site audit
- Automated monitoring
- Detailed reports
Ahrefs ($99/month)
- Real-time monitoring
- Detailed analysis
- Export capabilities

Automated Solutions for Large Websites 🤖

WordPress Plugins

Broken Link Checker
- Automatic scanning
- Email notifications
- Easy fixes
WP Link Status Pro
- Real-time monitoring
- Bulk updates
- Advanced reporting

Custom Solutions

//python code

# Simple Python script example

import requests

from bs4 import BeautifulSoup

from urllib.parse import urljoin

def check_links(url):

    broken_links = []

    response = requests.get(url)

    soup = BeautifulSoup(response.text, 'html.parser')

    for link in soup.find_all('a'):

        href = link.get('href')

        if href:

            full_url = urljoin(url, href)

            try:

                link_response = requests.head(full_url)

                if link_response.status_code == 404:

                    broken_links.append(full_url)

            except:

                broken_links.append(full_url)

    return broken_links

The function check_links(url) scans the webpage at the provided url for all links (<a> tags). It checks each link by sending a HEAD request to the resolved (absolute) URL. If a link returns a 404 error or cannot be reached, it is considered broken, and the broken URL is added to a list, which is returned at the end.

Example Use Case:

If you run check_links('https://example.com'), it will:

Extract all links from https://example.com.
Check each link.
Return a list of links that are broken (those that return a 404 status or encounter other errors).

Potential Issues/Considerations:

The script only checks for broken links using a HEAD request, which may not capture all potential issues (e.g., slow pages, server errors other than 404).
It does not handle redirects explicitly; if a link redirects, it may or may not be handled as broken depending on the HTTP status codes and the behavior of requests.head.

Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️

Ignoring Redirect Chains
Not Checking Image Links
Overlooking PDFs and Documents
Forgetting About Case Sensitivity
Not Backing Up Before Fixes

Advanced SEO Considerations 📈

1. Link Equity Preservation

Implement proper 301 redirects
Update internal linking structure
Preserve valuable backlinks

2. Crawl Budget Optimization

Remove unnecessary redirects
Fix broken links promptly
Maintain clean site structure

Creating a Link Maintenance Schedule 📅

Weekly Tasks

Run automated scans
Fix critical broken links
Check new content

Monthly Tasks

Deep link audit
Update documentation
Review redirects

Quarterly Tasks

Comprehensive site audit
Update old content
Clean up redirect chains

Action Plan for Fixing Broken Links 📋

Immediate Steps

Run a complete site audit
Document all broken links
Prioritize fixes by importance
Implement necessary changes
Verify fixes

Long-term Strategy

Set up monitoring systems
Create maintenance schedule
Document all changes
Train team members
Regular reviews

Conclusion: Maintaining a Healthy Website

Remember, fixing broken links isn’t a one-time task – it’s an ongoing process of maintenance and optimization. By implementing the strategies and tools outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to maintain a healthy, user-friendly website that both visitors and search engines will love.

Pro Tip: Start with the most critical pages (homepage, main navigation, popular content) and work your way through systematically. Don’t try to fix everything at once!

FAQ Section ❓

Q: How often should I check for broken links?

A: For active websites, run weekly automated scans and monthly manual checks.

Q: Will broken links hurt my SEO?

A: Yes, they can significantly impact your SEO through reduced crawlability and poor user signals.

Q: How do I fix broken links I can’t control?

A: For external broken links, either find alternative resources or remove the links entirely.

Q: What’s the best way to handle deleted content?

A: Implement 301 redirects to relevant alternative content or update links to new resources.

Need help implementing these solutions? Drop your questions in the comments below! I’m always happy to help fellow website owners maintain their digital presence. 💻✨