Why broken links matter
A broken link interrupts a task. It can also make old routes, removed tools, or stale articles look neglected. For search engines, repeated broken links waste crawl time and can make a site look less clean.
What to check
- Header and footer links.
- Tool cards and category pages.
- Related tool links.
- Blog and guide article links.
- Sitemap URLs and canonical URLs.
- External links that may have moved.
Fixing the issue
If the page moved, use a canonical redirect. If the page was removed and has no replacement, show a clear not-found or gone response. Do not silently send users to an unrelated page with no result.
Common mistakes
One common mistake is checking only visible navigation. Links hidden in cards, old articles, sitemap files, and structured data can stay broken for a long time.
FAQ
Should every 404 redirect to the homepage?
No. That creates confusion and can look like a soft 404. Use a relevant replacement or a clear not-found page.
How often should links be checked?
Check after every route cleanup, redesign, and major content update.