Backlinking has been a crucial component of SEO since the beginning. Links are subject to death when content becomes unavailable. As a result, your website loses its valuable traffic when links die. According to recent statistics, about 8% of links die within the first 3 months, while 40% are likely to stay longer (about 7 years). 

However, the reason for link loss is the removal of content from the website and that happens in most instances. To combat link rot, businesses must take into consideration what went wrong and proactively work to resolve the issue. 

This situation occurs when a link dies for a variety of reasons. Link rot, also known as link death and broken link, occurs when a webpage or resource becomes unavailable over time owing to a lack of SEO measures. 

When content is erased or withdrawn from a website. Sometimes websites move or totally erase web pages. If a web page is linked to a deleted page, the link will be broken or dead. 

Similarly, if a link links to a website that no longer exists or is functional, it is deemed a broken or dead link. So, if you get “404 Error ” or “HTTP Not Found,” it signifies the destination page has been deleted or moved.

Have you ever clicked a link online only to be met with an error message? That’s link rot, the internet equivalent of old bread. 

Links break over time for a variety of reasons, making your web surfing experience difficult.

Missing House 

Almost half (47.7%) of broken links occur when the entire website or a specific page disappears. This could happen if the website goes down or removes the associated material.Room 

Remodeling Sometimes 

34.2% website is still there, but the link you clicked on is out of date. Perhaps they altered their information or removed that specific page. 

link rot
Stop losing traffic to dead links! Source: Medium

Crawler Confusion 

Occasionally (6.45%), technical issues with the website prohibit search engines from reaching the connected page.

Wrong turn

Websites can also redirect visitors to other websites (for example, giving instructions within the house). If these redirects are incorrect (5.99%), they may take you somewhere unexpected or nowhere at all. 

Dead End

In some circumstances (4.11%), the linked page may still exist but has been moved without a correct “forwarding address” (redirect). This puts you at a dead end. 

Link rot might be frustrating for you as a user, but they can also harm the website’s reputation. Fortunately, website owners have tools to detect and resolve link rot issues, ensuring a pleasant online browsing experience.

Fortunately, there are ways to detect faulty links before you click. Here’s how to identify link rot.

Manual Checks

Simply click on the links you see. If you come across a broken page with error messages, you’ve discovered link rot!

Website Owner’s Tools

Broken link checkers are internet programs, many of which are free, that scan web pages for broken connections. They report which links are broken, allowing website owners to fix them. 

Some popular solutions are Dr. Link Check and Small SEO Tools.

Search Console Reports

Google Search Console, a free service for website owners, can report broken links (also known as 404 problems) on your site. This helps you identify and fix them to maintain a smooth user experience.

These browser add-ons, like website owner tools, scan the web pages you visit for broken links. They can highlight broken links in a different color or display a caution message to notify you before clicking.

Link rot can have a negative impact on many parts of the online experience, both for users and website administrators. 

Here is a breakdown of how it affects the various parties:

Frustration for Users 

Finding broken links can be frustrating since it disrupts their surfing flow and makes it difficult to find the information they are looking for.

Wasted Time

Clicking on broken links wastes users’ time and forces them to look for information elsewhere.

Loss of Trust

A website with broken links may appear neglected or unprofessional, prompting users to question the website’s overall legitimacy.

SEO Impact

Search engines rank websites based on the quality and functionality of links. Broken links can lower a website’s SEO ranking, making it more difficult for consumers to reach the site naturally.

User Engagement

Link rot can cause users to leave a website, reducing overall user engagement and potentially affecting conversions (sales or desired actions).

Wasted Resources

Website owners may be unintentionally paying for broken backlinks (links from other websites), therefore wasting their money.

Fixing broken links can be a chore, so why not avoid the hassle altogether? Here are some smart habits to prevent link rot on your website:

Think of a website as a trustworthy friend. When linking to other sites, select those with a strong reputation and a track record of being active. These “friends” are less likely to disappear, leaving your links inactive.

Ditch Personal Pages

Linking to someone’s personal website may appear pleasant, but what if they leave and forsake the site? Instead, use links from established websites, which are more likely to be maintained.

When possible, use permanent links (also known as permalinks). These linkages are less likely to alter over time, so your connections will remain strong.

Keep an Eye on Updates

If you link to content that is frequently updated, make sure to keep track of the changes. Update your links to avoid directing visitors to out-of-date material.

Consider Alternatives

In some circumstances, connecting to the full website may be more efficient than linking to individual pages. This decreases the likelihood of broken links when individual pages are rearranged or eliminated.

Link rot, caused by websites disappearing or content moving, frustrates users and harms your SEO (search engine optimization). The good news is that you can prevent this. Focus on linking to high-quality, established websites and avoid personal pages that might vanish. 

Utilize permanent links whenever possible and keep an eye on frequently updated content to ensure your links stay relevant. Consider linking to entire websites to reduce the risk of broken links if pages are reorganized. 

Finally, there are tools available to scan your website for broken links so you can fix them quickly. By following these steps, you’ll keep your website user-friendly, trustworthy, and ranking well in search results.

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FAQs

  1. How do broken links affect SEO rankings? 

Search engines like Google prioritize websites with a good user experience. Broken links signal poor maintenance, which can lower your rankings in search results.

  1. Can link rot impact internal links within my website? 

Yes, if you delete or move pages without setting up redirects, internal links can break, causing navigation issues for users and search engines.

  1. What tools can I use to fix broken links on my website? 

Free and paid tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Broken Link Checker can help identify and fix broken links.

  1. How often should I check for link rot on my website? 

It’s best to scan your website for broken links at least once a month, especially if you publish new content frequently.

  1. Are broken external links as harmful as broken internal links? 

Both can negatively impact your site, but internal broken links directly affect user experience and navigation, making them more urgent to fix.