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- Typos or outdated URLs in the link markup.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
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Link to an archived version (e.g., via the Wayback Machine) if available, or find an alternative reputable source.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.
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