How to Find and Fix Inbound Broken Links

In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), broken links can have a significant impact on your website’s performance. Not only do they frustrate users, but they can also harm your SEO efforts by negatively affecting your website’s crawlability and user experience. However, not all broken links are created equal. Some are worth fixing, while others may not require immediate attention.

In a recent Reddit thread, Google’s John Mueller shared valuable insights on finding and fixing inbound broken links. In this article, we will delve into Mueller’s advice and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to effectively identify and address broken links for improved SEO performance.

Understanding Inbound Broken Links

Before we dive into the process of identifying and fixing broken links, it’s important to understand what inbound broken links are and how they can impact your website. Inbound broken links refer to links from external websites that point to pages on your website but result in a 404 error due to various reasons.

When a user clicks on an inbound broken link, they are directed to a page that no longer exists, leading to a poor user experience. Moreover, search engine crawlers encounter the same issue when they attempt to index your website, potentially resulting in lower rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs).

How to Find Broken Inbound Links

To find broken inbound links, John Mueller recommends using a combination of techniques that leverage website analytics and server logs. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you identify and locate broken links:

Use Website Analytics: Begin by analyzing your website’s 404 error page in your website analytics tool. Filter out your domain to focus on the broken links that are generating traffic. This will provide you with a list of broken links that are more likely to impact your users’ experience.
Analyze Server Logs: If you have access to your server logs, go a step further and analyze them to gain more detailed insights into the broken links that search engine bots are crawling. This will help you identify broken links that may not generate significant traffic but are still worth fixing.
Leverage External Tools: While Mueller suggests that no external tools are necessary, there are several third-party tools available that can streamline the process of finding broken links. Tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help you identify broken links on your website and provide actionable insights.
Review Google Search Console: Google Search Console is another valuable resource for identifying broken inbound links. The “Crawl Errors” report in Search Console can provide you with a list of URLs that result in 404 errors. Review this report regularly to stay updated on any broken links that need attention.

By following these steps, you can effectively identify broken inbound links and gain a better understanding of which ones require immediate attention.

Fixing Broken Inbound Links

Now that you have identified the broken inbound links on your website, it’s time to take action and fix them. However, not all broken links need to be fixed, and some may not require immediate attention. Here’s a breakdown of when and how to fix broken inbound links:

1. Easy to Fix Broken Links

Some broken links are relatively easy to fix and should be prioritized. These include:

Incorrect URL: In some cases, external websites may link to your website using an incorrect URL. This can result in a 404 error when users click on the link. Identify these broken links and ensure that they are redirected to the correct URL.
Missing 301 Redirect: If your webpage URL has changed, but an external website still links to the old URL without a 301 redirect, it can lead to a broken link. Implement a 301 redirect to ensure that users and search engine crawlers are directed to the new URL.

To identify and fix these types of broken links, utilize the methods mentioned earlier, such as reviewing server logs, using website analytics, and leveraging external tools.

2. No Need for Immediate Action

Not all broken links require immediate attention. In some cases, it may be acceptable to leave them as they are. These include:

Legitimate Removal: If a webpage was intentionally removed from your website, such as an expired event page or a discontinued service, it is appropriate to show a 404 error. This indicates to users and search engines that the page no longer exists and is not a cause for concern.
Irrelevant Inbound Links: When an inbound link points to a page that is irrelevant to its content, it may not be worth fixing. Redirecting such links or creating a new page to replace the missing one may not provide any meaningful value. It’s best to let these broken links go, as the SEO benefit of fixing them may not outweigh the effort involved.

Remember, the primary goal is to provide a seamless user experience and ensure that your website is easily navigable. Fixing broken links that are relevant and impactful will contribute to this objective.

Best Practices for Fixing Broken Links

When fixing broken inbound links, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure a smooth transition and maintain your website’s SEO performance. Here are some tips to consider:

Implement 301 Redirects: When redirecting broken links to new URLs, use 301 redirects to signal to search engines that the content has permanently moved. This will help preserve the link equity and maintain your website’s rankings.
Create Custom 404 Pages: Design custom 404 error pages that provide users with helpful information and alternative navigation options. This can help retain users and encourage them to explore other areas of your website.
Monitor and Update: Regularly monitor your website for new broken inbound links and update your 301 redirects accordingly. This will ensure that users and search engines are always directed to the correct pages.
Reach Out to Webmasters: In cases where broken links originate from external websites, consider reaching out to the webmasters and politely request them to update the links. This can be an effective way to resolve broken link issues, especially if the link is valuable and generates substantial traffic.

By following these best practices, you can effectively fix broken links and enhance the overall user experience on your website.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

What are inbound broken links, and how do they affect a website?

Inbound broken links are links from external websites that point to pages on your website but result in a 404 error, indicating that the linked page no longer exists. These broken links can lead to a poor user experience and potentially harm a website’s SEO performance by affecting crawlability and rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs).

How can I find broken inbound links on my website?

You can find broken inbound links by using a combination of techniques:

Use Website Analytics: Analyze your website’s 404 error page in your analytics tool, filtering out your domain to focus on broken links generating traffic.
Analyze Server Logs: If available, analyze server logs to gain insights into broken links that search engine bots are encountering.
Leverage External Tools: Consider using third-party tools like Screaming Frog, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify broken links more efficiently.
Review Google Search Console: Utilize the “Crawl Errors” report in Google Search Console to identify URLs resulting in 404 errors.

When should I fix broken inbound links?

You should prioritize fixing broken inbound links when they fall into the following categories:

Incorrect URL: Links using an incorrect URL that leads to a 404 error should be fixed and redirected to the correct URL.
Missing 301 Redirect: If your webpage’s URL has changed but external websites still link to the old URL without a 301 redirect, implement a 301 redirect to the new URL.

Are there cases when broken inbound links don’t need immediate attention?

Yes, not all broken inbound links require immediate action. Here are some scenarios when you may not need to fix them right away:

Legitimate Removal: If a webpage was intentionally removed from your website, it’s acceptable to show a 404 error to indicate that the page no longer exists.
Irrelevant Inbound Links: If an inbound link points to a page that is irrelevant to its content, fixing it may not provide meaningful value. It may be best to leave such links as they are.

What are best practices for fixing broken inbound links?

When fixing broken inbound links, follow these best practices:

Implement 301 Redirects: Use 301 redirects to signal to search engines that the content has permanently moved, preserving link equity.
Create Custom 404 Pages: Design custom 404 error pages that provide users with helpful information and alternative navigation options.
Monitor and Update: Regularly monitor for new broken inbound links and update 301 redirects as needed.
Reach Out to Webmasters: If broken links originate from external websites, consider contacting the webmasters to request link updates.

Following these practices will help ensure a smooth transition and maintain your website’s SEO performance while providing a better user experience.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Firmbee.com; Unsplash – Thank you!