A broken link, also known as a dead link, is a hyperlink that no longer works. When clicked, it leads to an error page—most commonly a 404 message. Broken links can occur when pages are deleted, URLs change, or websites shut down. They are frustrating for users and can negatively impact SEO by signaling that a site is poorly maintained.
For visitors, a broken link interrupts the experience and can cause them to leave. For search engines, it wastes crawl budget and weakens link equity, meaning the value of links pointing through that path is lost. On large websites, even a few broken links can multiply into hundreds of missed opportunities over time.
Regular audits are the best defense. Tools like Google Search Console or online crawlers such as Screaming Frog identify broken links so they can be fixed or redirected. Redirects (301s) preserve SEO value by pointing old URLs to relevant new pages. Internal links should be checked often, especially after a redesign or content migration.
Maintaining a clean link structure isn’t glamorous work, but it’s essential for both usability and performance. A site free of broken links feels professional, keeps visitors engaged, and helps search engines navigate it efficiently.
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