How to Find and Fix Broken Links Using the Broken Link Checker Plugin Print

How to Find and Fix Broken Links Using the Broken Link Checker Plugin

Broken links, also known as "dead links," are URLs on your website that no longer lead to a valid page. They can point to deleted posts, moved pages, or external websites that no longer exist.

Why are broken links a problem?

• User Experience (UX): Broken links frustrate your visitors, leading to a poor user experience and potentially driving them away from your site.
• SEO Impact: Search engines like Google view broken links as a sign of a neglected or low-quality website, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings.

Fortunately, for WordPress users, the Broken Link Checker plugin offers a robust and easy-to-use solution for identifying and fixing these issues.

Step 1: View and Manage Broken Links

After logging in to your Wordpress admin area, look on the left hand side for:

1. Go to Tools > Broken Links.
2. You will see a table listing all detected broken links. The table usually includes columns like:

• URL: The broken link itself.
• Status: The HTTP status code (e.g., 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error, timeout).
• Link Text: The anchor text used for the broken link.
• Source: Where the broken link is located (e.g., Post title, Page title, Comment).

Step 2: Fix Broken Links

The plugin offers several convenient ways to fix broken links directly from the Broken Links table:

1. Edit URL:

• Hover over the broken link in the table.
• Click "Edit URL".
• A field will appear allowing you to enter the correct URL.
• Click "Update". The plugin will re-check the link immediately.
• Use this when you know the correct new URL for the linked resource.

• Hover over the broken link.
• Click "Unlink".
• This will remove the link while keeping the anchor text.
• Use this if the linked resource no longer exists and you don't want to replace it with anything.

• Hover over the broken link.
• Press Ctrl+click (CMD+click on Mac) to open the link in a new tab. Sometimes links are flagged as broken that actually work (for a variety of reasons).
• If it is not actually broken, Click "Dismiss".
• This removes the link from the broken links list. Use with caution, only if you are absolutely certain the link is not broken or if it's a temporary issue you're not concerned with.

• If you've recently fixed a broken link outside of the plugin (e.g., by updating the content of the post directly), or if you suspect a temporary issue, you can click "Recheck" to force the plugin to scan that specific link again.

• You can select multiple broken links using the checkboxes and then use the "Bulk Actions" dropdown menu at the top of the table to:
  • Unlink selected items.
  • Recheck selected items.
  • Dismiss selected items.

Important Considerations:

• External Links: While the plugin is excellent for finding external broken links, you cannot directly edit external websites. For these, you'll need to either:
  • Find a new, working resource to link to.
  • Unlink the broken external link.
• Regular Maintenance: Make it a habit to check for broken links regularly, perhaps once a month or quarterly, to keep your website healthy and user-friendly.

By consistently using the Broken Link Checker plugin, you can ensure your WordPress website remains a reliable and enjoyable experience for your visitors, while also boosting your SEO efforts. 

We know you are very busy as a business owner, and if you would like help addressing this issue or have any questions, send us a ticket.