In the digital age, it is crucial that the links on your website work flawlessly. A “broken link” or “dead link” refers to a link that no longer leads to the originally linked page. This can have various causes, such as a deleted website or a changed URL address. In this article, you will find out exactly what a broken link is, what effects it can have and how you can fix it effectively.
What is a broken link? #
A broken link is a hyperlink on a website that no longer points to the desired, originally linked resource. This happens if the target page has been moved or deleted, the URL has been changed or there is a typing error in the link address. Broken links can be present on your own website or on external pages that link to your content.
Effects of broken links #
- Poor user experience: Users who encounter a broken link often feel frustrated, resulting in a negative user experience.
- Harmful for your SEO ranking: Search engines such as Google rate websites with many broken links negatively, which can affect your ranking.
- Loss of traffic: A potential visitor who encounters a dead link may leave your site and not return.
How do you identify broken links? #
There are various tools and methods to find broken links on your website. SEO tools such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs or Screaming Frog SEO Spider can help to identify and analyze dead links.
Solutions for broken links #
- Regular checks: Perform regular checks of your website to find and fix broken links.
- Set up 301 redirects: If a page has been permanently moved, redirect the traffic to the new page with a 301 redirect.
- Correction of typing errors: Check the link URLs for typing errors and correct them accordingly.
- Contact the webmasters: If external sites link to your content that no longer exist, contact the webmasters to update the links.
FAQ #
Q: How often should I check my website for broken links? A: It is recommended to perform a check at least once a month, especially if you regularly add new content.
Q: Are broken links always bad for SEO? A: Yes, they can have a negative impact on your site’s ranking as they provide a poor user experience and can be interpreted by search engines as a sign of poor website maintenance.
Q: Can I find broken links manually? A: Yes, but this process is time-consuming. It is more efficient to use special SEO tools that automate the process.
Summary #
Broken links are more than just a minor technical issue; they can have a significant impact on your website’s user experience and SEO ranking. By regularly checking your website and correcting broken links, you ensure a better user experience and improve the visibility of your site in search engines. Use tools and strategies to effectively manage this challenge and ensure your website is free of dead links.
Sources:
[1] https://www.conductor.com/de/academy/glossar/broken-link/
[2] https://www.martingonev.de/offpage-seo-glossar/broken-link/
[3] https://www.om-strategen.de/glossar/broken-link/
[4] https://www.sven-hoerig.de/seo-glossar/broken-links/
[5] https://zwei.gmbh/blog/250/broken-links-definition-massnahmen-zur-vermeidung/
[6] https://www.evergreenmedia.at/glossar/broken-link/
[7] https://www.seo-kueche.de/lexikon/broken-link/
[8] https://blog.zeta-producer.com/broken-link-definition/