Broken Backlinks [2023] Ultimate Guide

Broken backlinks are a common issue faced by website owners and SEO professionals.

In simple terms, a broken backlink is a link on a website that is not working, leading to a dead end or error page.

Broken backlinks can be harmful to your website’s search engine ranking and online visibility.

They can also negatively impact the user experience by preventing visitors from accessing the intended content.

What Are Broken Backlinks?

Broken backlinks are links on your website that no longer work.

They typically occur when a webpage is removed or the URL is changed without redirecting the old URL to the new one.

This results in a dead link, leading to a 404 error page.

Having broken backlinks on your website can lead to a frustrating user experience. When a user clicks on a link that leads to a non-existent page, they will receive an error message instead of the content they were expecting to see.

This can cause users to leave your website and increase your bounce rate.

Additionally, broken backlinks can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts.

Causes of Broken Backlinks

There are several reasons why broken backlinks occur. The most common reasons include:

1. Website Redesign or Restructuring

One of the most common causes of broken backlinks is website redesign or restructuring.

When you make significant changes to your website’s design or structure, you may need to change URLs, resulting in broken backlinks.

It’s essential to redirect old URLs to new ones to prevent broken backlinks.

2. Website Content Removal

If you remove webpages or content from your website without redirecting the old URLs to new ones, you will end up with broken backlinks.

It’s crucial to redirect old URLs to new ones to maintain a seamless user experience and avoid negative SEO impacts.

3. External Websites Removing or Changing Their Content

Sometimes, external websites that link to your website remove or change their content.

This can result in broken backlinks on your website. You can’t control other websites’ actions, but you can monitor your website for broken backlinks and fix them as soon as possible.

4. Typing Errors

Typing errors in URLs can also lead to broken backlinks. This can occur when you mistype a URL or when someone else links to your website with a typo in the URL.

It’s essential to check your website for broken backlinks regularly and correct any typing errors you come across.

Why Broken Backlinks Hurt Your SEO

As mentioned in the previous section, broken backlinks are links on your website that lead to non-existent pages or websites.

While they can seem like minor issues, they can have a significant impact on your website’s SEO efforts. Here are some of the ways broken backlinks can harm your SEO:

1. Broken Links Disrupt PageRank

Google uses PageRank, an algorithm that determines the relevance and authority of a webpage, to rank search results.

When a webpage has broken backlinks, it disrupts PageRank flow. PageRank flow is the amount of “link juice” that passes from one webpage to another.

When a broken link interrupts this flow, it can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts.

2. Creates a Bad User Experience

When users click on a link that leads to a non-existent page or website, they receive an error message.

This creates a bad user experience and can cause users to leave your website. High bounce rates can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts.

Additionally, broken backlinks can make your website appear unprofessional and unreliable, which can damage your brand reputation.

3. Affects Your ROI

Broken backlinks can also affect your ROI.

When users encounter broken backlinks on your website, they are less likely to convert into customers or take the desired action.

This can result in lost revenue and decreased ROI.

Why Broken Backlinks are Bad for Your Website

Broken backlinks, or links on your website that lead to non-existent pages or websites, can have several negative impacts on your website’s performance.

Here are some of the reasons why broken backlinks are bad for your website:

1. Bad User Experience

One of the most significant impacts of broken backlinks is that they create a bad user experience.

When users click on a link and are taken to a 404 error page, it can be frustrating and discouraging.

It can also make your website appear unprofessional and unreliable, which can damage your brand reputation.

2. Negative Brand Association

Broken backlinks can also have a negative impact on your brand association.

When users encounter broken links on your website, they may assume that your website is outdated, neglected, or poorly maintained.

This can negatively impact their perception of your brand and may cause them to avoid doing business with you in the future.

3. High Bounce Rate

When users encounter broken backlinks, they are likely to leave your website and look for information elsewhere.

This can result in a high bounce rate, which is when users visit your website but leave without interacting with it.

A high bounce rate can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts and make it more difficult to attract and retain users.

4. No Link Equity

Another negative impact of broken backlinks is that they do not contribute to your website’s link equity.

Link equity refers to the value and authority that a webpage gains from backlinks.

When a backlink is broken, it does not pass any link equity to your website, which can harm your SEO efforts and make it more difficult to rank higher in search results.

How to Fix Broken Backlinks on Your Website

If you have broken backlinks on your website, it’s essential to take steps to fix them promptly. Here are some of the ways you can fix broken backlinks on your website:

1. Fix Your Broken Links

The most straightforward way to fix broken backlinks is to update them to point to a working page or website.

This involves identifying the broken link, locating a suitable replacement, and updating the link to point to the new URL.

If the broken link was internal, you may need to update the URL on your website’s backend.

If the broken link was external, you may need to contact the website owner and request that they update the link.

2. Redirect Your Broken Links

Another way to fix broken backlinks is to redirect them to a working page or website.

This involves setting up a 301 redirect, which tells search engines that the broken link has moved permanently to a new URL.

This can help maintain link equity and ensure that users are directed to the correct page or website.

How to Fix Broken Backlinks on Your Website

Now that we’ve established the negative impacts of broken backlinks, let’s take a look at how you can fix them on your website. Here are some steps you can follow:

1. Identify Broken Backlinks

The first step in fixing broken backlinks is to identify them. You can use various tools such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find broken backlinks on your website.

These tools will provide you with a list of all the broken backlinks on your website, including the URL of the broken link and the page on your website where the link is located.

2. Remove or Update Broken Backlinks

Once you’ve identified the broken backlinks on your website, the next step is to remove or update them.

If the broken link is pointing to a non-existent page, you can either remove the link or update it with a new link that points to a relevant and active page on your website.

If the broken link is pointing to an external website, you can try to contact the website owner and ask them to update the link.

3. Use 301 Redirects

If you have a broken backlink that is pointing to an old page on your website, you can use a 301 redirect to redirect the link to a new and active page on your website.

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines and users that the old page has been permanently moved to a new location.

This will help preserve the link equity and prevent users from encountering a 404 error page.

4. Regularly Monitor for Broken Backlinks

Finally, to prevent broken backlinks from negatively impacting your website in the future, it’s important to regularly monitor your website for broken links.

You can use the same tools mentioned in Step 1 to regularly check for broken backlinks and fix them promptly.

By doing so, you can ensure that your website is always providing a seamless user experience and contributing to your SEO efforts.

FAQs About Broken Backlinks

Here are some frequently asked questions about broken backlinks and their impact on SEO.

How do you get broken backlinks?

Broken backlinks can occur for various reasons, including website redesigns, website migrations, changes in website structure, deleted pages, and incorrect URL formatting.

Are broken backlinks bad?

Yes, broken backlinks are bad because they create a bad user experience, negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts, and can result in a high bounce rate.

Are broken backlinks bad for SEO?

Yes, broken backlinks are bad for SEO because they disrupt PageRank, reduce link equity, and negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings.

What is broken link in SEO?

In SEO, a broken link is a link that leads to a non-existent page or an error page. Broken links can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts and create a bad user experience.

What is an example of a broken link?

An example of a broken link is a hyperlink that leads to a page that no longer exists or has been moved to a different location on the website.

How do I find broken backlinks for SEO?

You can find broken backlinks on your website by using various tools such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Broken Link Checker. These tools will provide you with a list of all the broken backlinks on your website, including the URL of the broken link and the page on your website where the link is located.

Is 1000 backlinks good?

The number of backlinks is not as important as the quality of the backlinks. 1000 low-quality backlinks may not be as valuable as 100 high-quality backlinks. It’s important to focus on acquiring relevant and high-quality backlinks to improve your website’s SEO efforts.

Do backlinks improve SEO?

Yes, backlinks are an important factor in improving your website’s SEO efforts. Backlinks help improve your website’s search engine rankings, increase organic traffic, and establish your website as an authority in your industry.

Is it okay to pay for backlinks?

No, it is not okay to pay for backlinks. Paid backlinks violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and can result in penalties and negative impacts on your website’s search engine rankings. It’s important to focus on acquiring natural and high-quality backlinks through organic methods such as guest blogging, influencer outreach, and creating valuable content.

How do you identify broken links?

You can identify broken links on your website by using various tools such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Broken Link Checker. These tools will provide you with a list of all the broken links on your website, including the URL of the broken link and the page on your website where the link is located.

What is the broken link method?

The broken link method is a link building strategy that involves finding broken links on other websites and offering to replace the broken link with a link to your website’s content. This strategy can help improve your website’s link profile and establish your website as a valuable resource in your industry.

Final Thoughts About Broken Backlinks

In conclusion, broken backlinks can negatively impact your website’s SEO efforts and create a bad user experience.

It’s important to regularly monitor your website for broken backlinks and take appropriate action to fix them.

By fixing broken backlinks, you can improve your website’s search engine rankings, increase organic traffic, and establish your website as a valuable resource in your industry.

Additionally, focusing on acquiring natural and high-quality backlinks through organic methods can help improve your website’s link profile and establish your website as an authority in your industry.

Remember, broken backlinks are bad for SEO, but fixing them can have a positive impact on your website’s overall performance.