How to Find and Fix Broken Links: Complete 2025 SEO Guide
Unveiling the mystery of broken links: a comprehensive guide to detection and resolution
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, broken links can be the silent saboteurs of your SEO efforts. At IncRev, we understand the critical importance of maintaining a robust link structure for your website’s success. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to identify, fix, and prevent broken links, ensuring your site remains a beacon of reliability for both users and search engines.
The hidden dangers of broken links
Broken links are more than just minor inconveniences; they can significantly impact your website’s performance in several ways:
- User Experience Degradation: When visitors encounter broken links, it leads to frustration and diminishes trust in your site.
- SEO Performance Decline: Search engines view broken links as indicators of poor site maintenance, potentially lowering your rankings.
- Crawl Budget Waste: Broken links can cause search engine bots to waste valuable crawl budget on non-existent pages.
- Link Equity Loss: Broken internal links prevent the flow of link equity throughout your site, weakening your overall SEO structure.
The real SEO impact of broken links and internal link issues in 2025
Many wonder, do broken links affect SEO? The answer is a resounding yes. According to SEO Sandwitch’s 2025 broken links report, broken links can reduce organic traffic by up to 20% and increase bounce rates by 15%. These statistics underscore how critical it is to address broken link issues promptly.
What is a broken link in SEO? A broken link is a hyperlink that leads to a page that no longer exists or has been moved without proper redirection. When search engines encounter these broken internal links or external links, they waste crawl budget and may interpret your site as poorly maintained. As DigitXL’s 2025 SEO mistakes overview points out, broken links remain one of the top technical SEO issues to avoid this year.
How can broken links negatively affect SEO performance? Beyond wasting crawl resources, broken internal links disrupt the flow of link equity across your site. According to Better Call Spencer’s 2025 internal links analysis, these internal broken links quietly wreck SEO by preventing PageRank distribution and weakening your site’s overall authority structure. The broken links SEO impact extends to user signals as well—higher bounce rates and lower engagement tell search engines your content isn’t meeting user expectations.
How to find broken links on your website in 2025
If you’re searching for how to find broken internal links or wondering how to find broken links on my website, you have several powerful options. Finding broken links early is essential for maintaining site health and preventing negative SEO consequences.
Using Google Search Console to detect broken links
Google Search Console remains one of the most reliable free tools for identifying broken links. Here’s how to find broken links in Google Search Console:
- Log in to your Google Search Console account and select your property
- Navigate to the “Pages” report in the left sidebar under “Indexing”
- Scroll down to the “Why pages aren’t indexed” section
- Look for the “Not found (404)” category—click to see all 404 errors
- Export the list of broken links for systematic fixing
- Check the “Coverage” section regularly for newly discovered issues
Google Search Console find broken links functionality shows you exactly which URLs are returning 404 errors, along with which pages link to them. This makes it easier to trace the source of broken internal links and fix them at the root. According to SEObyte’s 2025 technical SEO guide, 404 errors identified in GSC can be quickly resolved using 301 redirects or content updates.
Scanning with Screaming Frog for broken internal links
For a comprehensive broken link crawler experience, Screaming Frog is the industry standard. Here’s how to check broken links in Screaming Frog:
- Download and install Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Enter your website URL and click “Start”
- Wait for the crawl to complete (this may take several minutes for larger sites)
- Click the “Response Codes” tab and filter by “Client Error (4xx)” to find all 404s
- Review the “Inlinks” tab to see which pages contain the broken links
- Export your findings to CSV for easier tracking and delegation
- Use the “Bulk Export” feature to send data directly to Google Sheets
The DEV Community’s 2025 broken links guide recommends running Screaming Frog scans monthly for sites under 10,000 pages, and weekly for larger, more dynamic sites. Broken links Screaming Frog identifies can be cross-referenced with your Google Search Console data for even more accuracy.
Additional tools for finding broken links
Beyond GSC and Screaming Frog, several other tools can help you find broken links on website properties:
| Tool | Best For | Cost | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Link Checker | Quick scans | Free | No installation required |
| Semrush Site Audit | Enterprise sites | Paid | Automated monitoring |
| Ahrefs Site Audit | Link analysis | Paid | Comprehensive reports |
| W3C Link Checker | Small sites | Free | Standards-compliant |
Each broken link fixer tool has its strengths. For most businesses, combining Google Search Console with either Screaming Frog or a premium SEO suite provides the most thorough broken link analysis.
Identifying broken links: tools and techniques
At IncRev, we employ a multi-faceted approach to detecting broken links:
1. Leveraging Google Search Console
Google Search Console provides invaluable insights into your site’s health, including a comprehensive list of 404 errors.
2. Utilizing specialized SEO tools
We harness the power of advanced SEO tools like Semrush’s Site Audit feature to conduct thorough scans of your website, identifying both internal and external broken links.
3. Implementing regular site crawls
Conducting periodic site crawls using tools like Screaming Frog ensures we catch broken links early before they can impact your site’s performance.
How to fix broken links and recover lost equity
Once you’ve identified broken links on your site, it’s time to fix them strategically. Here’s how to fix broken internal links and external links to restore your site’s health and recover lost link equity.
The art of fixing broken links
To fix a broken link properly, evaluate the context and choose the right solution:
1. Redirect implementation
For pages that have been moved or renamed, we implement 301 redirects to guide users and search engines to the correct destination. This is the preferred broken link fix when the content still exists elsewhere on your site. A 301 redirect preserves approximately 90-99% of link equity, making it essential for maintaining SEO value.
2. Content updates
In cases where links are simply outdated, we update the content with fresh, relevant links to maintain the value of your pages. This approach works well for fixing broken links in blog posts, resource pages, and navigation menus where you control the source.
3. Link removal
For irrelevant or persistently problematic links, removal might be the best course of action to maintain site integrity. Sometimes a broken link repair isn’t possible if the destination is permanently gone and no suitable replacement exists.
Step-by-step: how to fix broken internal links
Fixing internal broken links requires a systematic approach to ensure you don’t miss any issues:
- Export your broken links list from Google Search Console or Screaming Frog
- Categorize links by type (moved pages, deleted content, typos, external URLs)
- For moved pages: Set up 301 redirects in your .htaccess file or through your CMS
- For typos: Correct the URL in the source page’s HTML or content management system
- For deleted content: Either restore valuable content or redirect to the most relevant existing page
- Update your internal linking strategy to prevent future broken links
- Verify fixes by re-crawling with your chosen tool
When you fix internal broken links, you restore the natural flow of PageRank throughout your site, strengthening your overall internal linking structure and improving crawl efficiency.
Handling broken backlinks and link recovery strategies
How to find broken backlinks? Use Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to identify external sites linking to your 404 pages. These represent valuable link equity that you’re currently losing.
Broken link recovery techniques for external backlinks include:
- Restore the content: If a page that earned quality backlinks was deleted, consider recreating it with updated information
- Implement 301 redirects: Redirect the broken URL to the most relevant existing page on your site
- Outreach to webmasters: Contact sites linking to your broken pages and suggest they update the URL to your new location
- Create superior replacement content: Build an even better resource and proactively reach out to sites linking to the old page
For strategies for broken backlinks on other sites (not your own), you can leverage them for link building. Identify broken links on high-authority sites in your niche, create superior content to replace the missing resource, and reach out to webmasters with your content as a solution. This is the core of our broken link building methodology.
Proactive measures for link health
At IncRev, we believe in prevention as much as cure. Here are some strategies we employ to maintain optimal link health:
- Regular Link Audits: We conduct comprehensive link audits to catch potential issues before they escalate.
- Custom 404 Pages: We design engaging custom 404 pages that guide users back to valuable content, minimizing the impact of any unforeseen broken links. According to DubBot’s 2025 accessibility analysis, well-designed custom 404 pages can retain up to 70% of lost users by providing clear navigation options and search functionality.
- Internal Linking Strategy: We develop robust internal linking strategies to ensure smooth navigation and optimal link equity distribution.
- Automated Monitoring: Set up alerts in Google Search Console to notify you immediately when new 404 errors are detected.
- Pre-launch Link Checks: Before publishing new content or redesigning pages, scan for potential broken links.
Leveraging broken links for SEO advantage
At IncRev, we don’t just fix broken links; we turn them into opportunities. Our broken link building strategy involves:
- Identifying broken links on high-authority sites in your niche
- Creating superior content to replace the missing resource
- Reaching out to webmasters with our content as a solution to their broken link
This approach not only helps other sites improve their user experience but also earns valuable backlinks for your website.
The IncRev advantage in link management
Partnering with IncRev for your link management needs offers several unique benefits:
- Cutting-edge Tools: We utilize the latest SEO tools and technologies to ensure comprehensive link analysis and management.
- Expert Strategies: Our team of SEO professionals develops custom strategies tailored to your specific needs and industry.
- Proactive Monitoring: We implement ongoing monitoring systems to catch and address link issues in real-time.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Regular, detailed reports keep you informed about your site’s link health and the impact of our interventions.
By entrusting your link management to IncRev, you’re not just fixing broken links; you’re investing in a robust, SEO-friendly link structure that drives lasting results for your website.
Conclusion: the path to unbroken success
In the digital realm, the strength of your links can make or break your online presence. At IncRev, we’re committed to ensuring your website stands on a foundation of robust, valuable links that enhance user experience and boost your SEO performance. Don’t let broken links hold you back—partner with IncRev and pave the way for unbroken success in your digital journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check for broken links on my website?
We recommend conducting a thorough link audit at least once a month. However, for larger, more dynamic websites, weekly checks may be necessary to catch issues early. Set up automated monitoring in Google Search Console to receive immediate notifications when new 404 errors appear.
Can broken links really impact my SEO that much?
Absolutely. Broken links can significantly affect your site’s crawlability, user experience, and overall SEO performance. Search engines view a high number of broken links as a sign of poor site maintenance, which can negatively impact your rankings. Recent data shows broken links can reduce organic traffic by up to 20% and increase bounce rates by 15%.
Do broken links affect SEO differently for internal versus external links?
Yes. Broken internal links disrupt the flow of link equity throughout your site and waste crawl budget, directly impacting how search engines understand your site structure. Broken external links primarily affect user experience and trust signals, though they also indicate poor maintenance. Both types should be fixed promptly for optimal SEO performance.
What’s the difference between a 404 error and a broken link?
A 404 error occurs when a page is not found on the server. A broken link is a hyperlink that leads to a 404 error page or any non-existent page. While all broken links will result in some kind of error (often a 404), not all 404 errors are caused by broken links—some users may type incorrect URLs directly.
How can I identify and fix broken links on my website?
Start by using Google Search Console to identify 404 errors, then use Screaming Frog or another broken link crawler for a comprehensive scan. Export your findings and categorize them by type. Fix broken internal links by implementing 301 redirects for moved pages, correcting typos in URLs, or updating links to point to current content. For external broken backlinks, consider content restoration or outreach to webmasters.
How to find broken backlinks pointing to my site?
Use backlink analysis tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to identify external sites linking to your 404 pages. These tools show you which high-authority sites are pointing to non-existent pages on your domain. This information is valuable for broken link recovery—you can either restore the missing content, redirect to relevant existing pages, or reach out to webmasters to update their links.
How can IncRev help improve my website’s link structure?
At IncRev, we offer comprehensive link auditing, fixing, and optimization services. We use advanced tools to identify issues, implement strategic fixes, and develop robust internal linking strategies to enhance your site’s overall SEO performance. Our team also specializes in turning broken link opportunities into high-quality backlinks through strategic outreach and content creation.
Is it worth fixing old broken links on my site?
Yes, it’s crucial to fix broken links, regardless of their age. Old broken links can still negatively impact your SEO and user experience. Moreover, fixing these links can often lead to recovering lost link equity and improving your site’s overall health. Even links on older pages may still receive traffic and pass authority to other parts of your site when properly restored.
