Seoxpert.io
Get started
lowCrawl & Links

Broken External Links

One or more external links on your site return errors (e.g., HTTP 404), resulting in broken outbound links.

By Seoxpert Editorial · Published

Why it matters

Broken external links damage user trust and signal neglected content to search engines. They disrupt user experience and can harm your site's E-E-A-T by failing to properly cite sources. Regular link maintenance is essential, especially for long-form or reference content.

Impact

Unresolved broken external links hurt user experience and may negatively affect your site's perceived trustworthiness and SEO.

How it's detected

An automated crawler checks each external link's HTTP response and flags links that return error codes (e.g., 404, 410, 500).

Common causes

  • •Linked pages have been deleted or moved without redirects.
  • •Linked social profiles or vendor pages have changed URLs.
  • •Typos or outdated URLs in the link markup.
  • •External sites have gone offline or restructured their URLs.

How to fix it

Review each broken external link and update it to a working URL if available. Use the Wayback Machine to find archived versions if the original is gone. Remove low-value or irrelevant links that no longer resolve. For links you control (e.g., partner or subdomain), coordinate to restore or redirect the target page.

Code examples

Broken external link (HTTP 404)

<a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647">Chrome Help</a>

Fixed external link (updated URL)

<a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346">Chrome Help</a>

FAQ

How often should I check for broken external links?

A yearly audit is sufficient for most sites, but news or reference sites should check more frequently.

Should I remove or update broken external links?

Update the link if a valid new URL exists; otherwise, remove the link if it's no longer valuable.

What if the broken link points to an important source that's now offline?

Link to an archived version (e.g., via the Wayback Machine) if available, or find an alternative reputable source.

Do broken external links affect SEO rankings?

While a few broken links won't directly penalize rankings, they can signal neglected content and reduce trust signals.

Found this issue on your site?

Run a scan to see if Broken External Links affects your pages.

Scan my website →