Broken Backlinks Google Tag Manager [2023] Comprehensive Guide

Are broken backlinks giving your website the cold shoulder? Say hello to your new best friend, Google Tag Manager!

In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery of broken backlinks, how Google Tag Manager can save the day, and why you won’t want to miss out on this web-slinging adventure.

Short answer: Fix broken backlinks with Google Tag Manager and boost your website’s performance!

Broken Backlinks and Google Tag Manager

Now, let’s discuss how broken backlinks can be associated with GTM. 

Google Tag Manager is a powerful tool that allows website owners to manage and deploy various tags, including tracking tags, conversion tags, and more. 

It simplifies the process of adding and updating tags on a website without directly modifying the underlying code.

However, improper implementation or changes made within GTM can lead to broken backlinks. 

For instance, if you have tags deployed through GTM that rely on specific URLs or dynamically generated links, any changes to those URLs can result in broken backlinks. 

Similarly, if you accidentally delete a tag that was responsible for redirecting or tracking certain links, it can lead to broken backlinks as well.

Fixing Broken Links with Google Tag Manager

Fortunately, there are several effective methods to fix broken links using Google Tag Manager. 

Let’s explore some of the most common techniques:

1. Regularly Monitor Broken Links

The first step in fixing broken links is to identify them. 

Utilize tools such as Google Search Console, which provides information about broken links encountered by search engine crawlers. 

By monitoring these broken links, you can pinpoint the problematic areas and take appropriate actions within GTM.

2. Utilize Redirects

Redirects are a handy tool to tackle broken backlinks. 

By setting up proper redirects within GTM, you can ensure that visitors who encounter broken links are seamlessly redirected to the correct pages. 

This can be done by creating a redirect tag within GTM and specifying the desired destination URL.

3. Custom JavaScript Solutions

For more complex scenarios, custom JavaScript solutions can come to the rescue. 

By leveraging the power of JavaScript, you can dynamically manipulate URLs and fix broken links. 

This requires a deeper understanding of GTM and JavaScript coding, so it’s recommended to consult with a developer or expert in this field.

Creating a Google Analytics 4 Event Tag

Apart from fixing broken links, another aspect worth exploring is creating a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) event tag within GTM. 

GA4 is the latest version of Google Analytics and provides valuable insights into user behavior and website performance. 

By incorporating GA4 event tags, you can track specific actions on your website, such as form submissions, button clicks, or video plays.

To create a GA4 event tag within GTM, follow these steps:

1. Provide a descriptive name for your tag, such as “Form Submission Event.”
2. Set up the trigger for the event tag. 

This could be based on specific user actions, such as clicking a submit button or completing a form.

3. Configure the event parameters, including the event name, category, action, and any additional details you want to track.
4. Save the tag configuration and submit your changes.

By creating a GA4 event tag, you gain valuable insights into user interactions, allowing you to optimize your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions.

Detecting Broken Backlinks with Google Analytics

To identify 404 errors and gain valuable insights into broken backlinks, Google Analytics provides a reliable solution. 

By utilizing the reporting capabilities of Google Analytics, website owners can effectively track and analyze the occurrence of broken backlinks. 

Here’s how you can view 404 errors in Google Analytics:

1. Navigate to the “Behavior” section: Within Google Analytics, head to the “Behavior” section, located in the left-hand menu.
2. Click on “Site Content”: Under the “Behavior” section, select “Site Content” and then click on “All Pages.”
3. Apply a filter: To specifically view 404 errors, apply a filter by including the segment “Page Title” and setting it to “Contains” with the term “404.”

By following these steps, you can access a comprehensive report that highlights the pages on your website that are generating 404 errors. 

Armed with this knowledge, you can take informed steps to address these broken backlinks effectively.

Analyzing Data and Redirecting Pages

Once you have identified the pages generating 404 errors, it’s crucial to analyze the data and determine the appropriate course of action. 

Not all broken backlinks need to be redirected, as some might be outdated or irrelevant. 

Here’s how you can analyze the data and decide which pages should be redirected:

1. Evaluate page importance: Begin by assessing the significance of each page generating a 404 error. 

Consider factors such as page authority, inbound links, and user engagement metrics. 

This evaluation will help prioritize the redirection efforts.

2. Review inbound link sources: Identify the sources of inbound links leading to the pages generating 404 errors. 

If these sources are high-quality websites or hold significant value, redirecting the broken backlinks can help preserve the link equity and maintain a positive user experience.

3. Map redirects: After determining which pages to redirect, create a clear mapping of old URLs to their corresponding new URLs. 

Implement 301 redirects, which inform search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location. 

This ensures that both visitors and search engines are seamlessly directed to the relevant content.

By meticulously analyzing the data and strategically redirecting the broken backlinks, you can salvage the link authority, enhance user experience, and positively impact your website’s SEO performance.

Creating a Report and Tracking Changes

To ensure that your efforts to fix broken backlinks are effective, it’s essential to create a report and track the changes made. 

By closely monitoring the progress, you can measure the impact of your actions and make adjustments if necessary. 

Here are some key steps to

consider when creating a report and tracking changes:

1. Define key metrics: Determine the key metrics that align with your goals, such as organic search traffic, bounce rate, and average time on page. 

These metrics will help you gauge the effectiveness of your efforts.

2. Establish a reporting schedule: Set a regular reporting schedule to track changes over time. 

Weekly or monthly reports can provide valuable insights into the performance of your website after implementing the redirections.

3. Compare pre and post-implementation data: Compare the performance metrics before and after fixing broken backlinks. 

Analyze the changes in organic search traffic, user engagement, and other relevant metrics to assess the impact of your actions.

4. Make iterative improvements: Based on the data and insights gathered, make iterative improvements to your website. 

Continuously optimize your content and ensure a seamless user experience.

By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive report that showcases the improvements made after rectifying broken backlinks. 

This data-driven approach will guide you in making informed decisions and optimizing your website for better performance.

Universal Analytics Tag and CookieDomain Configuration

While leveraging Google Tag Manager and Universal Analytics, it is essential to ensure that the necessary configurations are in place. 

One common mistake is failing to add a field to set cookieDomain to “auto.” 

This configuration helps manage cookies effectively and ensure accurate tracking. 

By not including this field, you may encounter issues with tracking user behavior across subdomains, leading to inaccurate data collection.

To address this issue, ensure that you configure your Universal Analytics tag correctly within Google Tag Manager. 

Edit the tag configuration and add the cookieDomain field, setting it to “auto.” 

This simple adjustment will enable accurate tracking of user interactions, providing valuable insights for your website optimization efforts.

FAQs About broken backlinks google tag manager

What are broken backlinks?

Broken backlinks, also known as 404 errors, are hyperlinks on a webpage that point to non-existent or inaccessible webpages. 

When clicked, these links lead users to a “404 Not Found” error page instead of the intended content. 

Broken backlinks can occur due to various reasons such as page deletion, URL changes, or improper linking.

How do you fix a broken backlink?

To fix a broken backlink, you need to take the following steps:

1. Identify the broken backlinks: Use tools like Google Search Console, SEO crawlers, or website auditing tools to identify the pages on your website that have broken backlinks.
2. Update or redirect the link: Once you have identified the broken backlink, you can either update the link to point to the correct URL or redirect it to an alternative relevant page on your website.
3. Implement 301 redirects: If the broken backlink cannot be updated or redirected internally, implement a 301 redirect to guide users and search engines to the appropriate content on your website.
4. Monitor and retest: After making the necessary changes, regularly monitor and retest the backlinks to ensure they are functioning correctly and leading users to the intended content.

How do I find broken backlinks?

There are several methods to find broken backlinks:

1. Google Search Console: Use Google Search Console’s “Coverage” report to identify any crawl errors or 404 pages on your website.
2. Website Auditing Tools: Utilize website auditing tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush, which can crawl your website and provide detailed reports on broken backlinks.
3. Broken Link Checkers: Online tools such as Dead Link Checker or Broken Link Check can scan your website and identify broken backlinks.
4. Backlink Analysis Tools: Tools like Ahrefs or Majestic can help you analyze your website’s backlink profile and identify any broken backlinks from external sources.

By using these methods, you can efficiently discover and address broken backlinks, ensuring a smoother user experience and better SEO performance for your website.

Final Thoughts About broken backlinks google tag manager

In conclusion, broken backlinks can have a significant impact on your website’s SEO and user experience. 

However, with the help of Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics, you can quickly identify and rectify these issues. 

By leveraging these tools, you can gain valuable insights into your website’s performance and optimize it for better user engagement, improved SEO rankings, and ultimately, increased traffic and conversions.

Remember, it’s not just about fixing broken backlinks but also ensuring that your website is always optimized for peak performance. 

Regularly monitoring your website’s analytics, making informed decisions based on data, and continuously making iterative improvements can help you stay ahead of the competition and ensure long-term success.

By following the tips and best practices outlined in this article, you can address broken backlinks on your website, optimize your website’s performance, and ensure that your online presence is always at its best. 

So go ahead and take action today – your website and your users will thank you for it!