What is a Dead Link?

A dead link is another term for a broken link that no longer works, typically returning a 404 error.

Understanding Dead Links

Dead links, sometimes called broken links, occur when a webpage or resource is removed, relocated without a redirect, or temporarily unavailable. From an SEO perspective, they signal poor site maintenance and can hinder search engine crawling. Dead links not only frustrate users but also reduce your website’s credibility and link equity. Identifying and fixing dead links is essential for maintaining strong search rankings, improving user experience, and ensuring that your content continues to perform well in search engines.

How Dead Links Affect Different CMS Platforms

WordPress

WordPress sites often develop dead links when content is deleted or URLs are changed without proper redirects. Using plugins like Broken Link Checker can help identify and fix these links to maintain SEO performance.

Shopify

Shopify stores may accumulate dead links through removed products, expired collections, or deleted blog posts. Regular audits of product and category pages, along with proper 301 redirects, prevent lost link equity.

Wix

In Wix, dead links often appear when pages are renamed, deleted, or external resources are moved. Monitoring internal and external links ensures that visitors and search engines can access content reliably.

Webflow

Webflow users need to manage URL changes and deleted content carefully. Dead links can reduce crawl efficiency and disrupt the flow of link equity, impacting rankings.

Custom CMS

Custom-built CMS platforms may generate dead links through manual URL changes, removed pages, or outdated content. Implementing regular link audits and automated checks ensures that dead links are quickly identified and resolved.

Dead Links Across Different Industries

Ecommerce

In ecommerce, dead links on product pages, categories, or blogs can frustrate users and reduce conversions. They also dilute link equity, affecting search engine rankings for key product pages.

Local Businesses

Local business websites can lose credibility if dead links appear on service pages, directories, or testimonials. Fixing dead links supports user experience and local SEO performance.

SaaS Companies

SaaS websites often update feature pages, pricing plans, or blog posts. Dead links to outdated resources can confuse visitors and lower domain authority if not addressed.

Blogs and News Sites

Blogs and news sites are particularly vulnerable to dead links due to content updates, removed posts, or external references. Regular audits maintain trust, ensure indexing, and preserve referral traffic.

Do’s & Don’ts / Best Practices

Do’s:

• Regularly audit your site for broken or dead links using tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog.

• Set up 301 redirects for removed or relocated pages.

• Update external references when resources move or become unavailable.

• Monitor internal linking to ensure smooth navigation.

Don’ts:

• Don’t ignore dead links, as they hurt user experience and SEO.

• Avoid redirect chains or loops when fixing broken links.

• Don’t rely solely on automated tools; manually verify critical pages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring dead links on high-traffic pages, which can reduce conversions.

2. Failing to implement redirects for deleted or moved content.

3. Overlooking external dead links pointing to your site, which may affect link equity.

4. Not performing regular audits, allowing broken links to accumulate over time.

FAQs

What is a dead link in SEO?

A dead link, also called a broken link, is a hyperlink that leads to a page that no longer exists or returns an error, usually a 404. (moz.com)

Why are dead links harmful for SEO?

Dead links hurt user experience, waste crawl budget, and can negatively affect search engine rankings if many exist on your site.

How can you find dead links on your website?

Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or Broken Link Checker to identify URLs returning errors.

How do you fix a dead link?

Fix dead links by updating the URL, redirecting to a relevant page (301 redirect), or removing the link entirely.

Do dead links affect external websites?

Yes. Linking to dead pages on external sites can harm credibility and user experience, so it’s important to regularly audit and update outbound links.