Websites Broken Link Checker

What is a broken link (and why you should care)

A broken link (also called a dead link) is a URL on your site that points to a page that no longer exists, returns an error (404, 500, etc.), or redirects improperly. Broken links damage user experience — visitors land on error pages or get redirected in confusing ways. They also signal neglect to search engines, which can reduce crawl efficiency and harm SEO.

How a websites broken link checker works

A broken link checker scans your website, crawls your pages, and tests every URL it finds — internal and external. Most checkers report:

• URLs that return HTTP errors (404, 410, 500, etc.)
• Redirect chains or loops
• Slow responses or timeouts
• Links to pages blocked by robots.txt
• Anchor links that don't exist on the target page

The output is typically a table you can sort and export so you can fix problems quickly.

Features to look for in a broken link checker

Not all tools are equal. When choosing a websites broken link checker, prefer tools that offer:

1. Deep crawling — follows pagination, subdirectories, and important JavaScript-rendered content.
2. Status codes & details — shows HTTP status, redirect targets, and response times.
3. Export & reporting — CSV or Excel export for spreadsheets and ticketing systems.
4. Scheduling — automated scans so issues are caught early.
5. Integration — ability to connect with Google Search Console, Jira, or Slack.

A simple step-by-step workflow to fix broken links

Here’s a practical workflow you can run through in one sitting:

1. Run a full scan — include the main domain and a sitemap if available.
2. Export the results — create a spreadsheet with URL, link text, status code, and referring page.
3. Prioritize fixes — start with high-traffic pages and internal links; then handle important external links.
4. Decide the fix — replace the link, update the URL, fix typos, set proper redirects (301), or remove the link if irrelevant.
5. Implement changes — update content/CMS or add server-side redirects.
6. Re-scan — confirm the issue is resolved and that no new redirect chains were created.
7. Schedule regular scans — weekly or monthly scans prevent link rot from building up.

Common pitfalls and quick tips

• Don’t blindly redirect everything to the homepage. That confuses users and wastes link equity. Use a logical 301 to the closest relevant page instead.
• Watch external links. If an important external resource disappears, replace it with an archived version (e.g., Wayback Machine) or a suitable alternative.
• Beware of redirect chains. Chains slow the site and can cause crawlers to stop following links. Keep redirects one hop when possible.
• Include JavaScript rendering. Modern sites often render links client-side — make sure your checker supports this or crawls a pre-rendered sitemap.

When to run checks

Scan your site after major content updates, migrations, or link-building campaigns. For active sites, schedule automated checks weekly; for smaller brochure sites, monthly checks are often enough.