Finding 404 errors on your site is only half the work. Fixing them properly is what improves your SEO and user experience. Here is a step-by-step guide.
Run a full site scan with Broken Link Checker Online. The scan will list every URL returning a 404 status code, along with which page contains the broken link. Learn more about finding broken links.
Not all broken links need the same fix. Sort them into categories:
For each internal link pointing to a deleted page:
For links to other sites that are broken:
For pages you have removed that still receive traffic or have backlinks, set up 301 redirects to the closest relevant page. This preserves link equity and guides users to working content.
After making changes, re-scan the affected pages to confirm the broken links are resolved. Do not assume a fix worked until you verify it.
Set up automated weekly scanning so you catch new broken links before they impact your SEO. Prevention is faster than cleanup.
Every 404 error is a potential lost customer. Broken links damage your SEO by wasting crawl budget and leaking link equity. Fixing them improves both user experience and search rankings.
Keep your website healthy with automated monitoring.
Broken links appear every day. Register for free and get weekly scan reports by email.
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