Link Rot

What is Link Rot?

Link rot refers to the gradual process where hyperlinks on the internet become broken or outdated, meaning they no longer point to their original target or resource. Over time, as web content changes or disappears, the links that once led to it become obsolete. This results in a negative user experience and can impact a website’s SEO.

Broken links, often used interchangeably with link rot, specifically refer to hyperlinks that point to resources that no longer exist or are unreachable.

Common Causes of Link Rot

1. Website Structure Changes:

• When websites undergo redesigns or structural changes without implementing proper redirects, previously valid links may become broken.

1. Content Deletion:

• If a webpage or resource is deleted from a website, any links pointing to it will lead to a “404 Not Found” error.

1. Website Shutdowns:

• When an entire website shuts down or its domain expires, all links pointing to that site become broken.

1. Domain Expiration:

• If a domain expires and is not renewed, it can result in broken links if the content is no longer available.

How to Find Broken Links

To maintain a healthy and functional link profile, it’s essential to regularly check for broken links. Here’s how you can identify both inbound and outbound broken links:

1. Using Ahrefs Broken Link Checker:

• Ahrefs Broken Link Checker: This tool can help you identify broken links pointing to your site (inbound) and outbound links from your site to other destinations. It’s an efficient way to discover and fix link rot issues. Example of Using Ahrefs Broken Link Checker:

1. Access the Tool:
   • Log in to Ahrefs and navigate to the Broken Link Checker tool.
2. Enter Your Website URL:
   • Input your website’s URL to scan for broken links.
3. Review the Report:
   • Examine the list of broken links provided in the report. You can filter and sort the results to prioritize which links to address first.
   
4. Manual Checking:

• Browser Extensions: Tools like Check My Links or Broken Link Checker can be added to browsers to quickly scan web pages for broken links.
• Manual Review: For smaller sites or specific pages, you can manually check the functionality of links by clicking through them and ensuring they lead to the correct resources.

How to Fix Broken Links

1. Update or Replace Links:

• Find Alternatives: If the target content has moved, update the link to point to the new location. For broken external links, find alternative, relevant resources to link to.
• Contact Webmasters: If the link is inbound and leads to a broken page on your site, reach out to the webmaster of the linking site and request an update or correction.

1. Redirect Broken Links:

• 301 Redirects: Implement 301 redirects to point users and search engines from the old URL to the new one. This helps preserve the link equity and provides a better user experience.
• Custom 404 Pages: Create custom 404 error pages that offer helpful navigation options and potentially suggest related content.

1. Remove Broken Links:

• Clean Up Content: Remove broken links from your site if no suitable replacement or redirect can be found. Ensure that your content remains relevant and user-friendly without dead links.

FAQs

What is the Impact of Link Rot on SEO?

Link rot can negatively affect SEO by reducing the effectiveness of backlinks and user experience. Search engines may penalize sites with numerous broken links, leading to lower rankings. Regularly addressing link rot helps maintain a positive SEO impact.

How Often Should I Check for Broken Links?

Regularly check for broken links as part of your ongoing SEO maintenance. Depending on the size of your site and the frequency of content updates, monthly or quarterly checks can be effective.

Are There Tools Other Than Ahrefs for Finding Broken Links?

Yes, other tools for identifying broken links include:

• Google Search Console: Provides information on crawl errors, including broken links.
• Screaming Frog SEO Spider: A desktop tool for comprehensive site audits, including broken link detection.
• SEMrush: Offers a Site Audit tool that includes broken link reporting.

Conclusion

Link rot is an inevitable part of maintaining a website, but regular monitoring and remediation can mitigate its impact. By using tools like Ahrefs’ Broken Link Checker and implementing strategies to update, redirect, or remove broken links, you can ensure a healthier and more effective link profile for your site.