What Are Broken Links (& Why They Hurt SEO)?

30 June 2026·1 min read

Quick answer: A broken link is one that leads to a page that no longer exists, usually showing a 404 error. They hurt SEO indirectly by creating a poor user experience and wasting Google’s crawl effort. Find them with a free broken-link checker or Google Search Console, then fix them by updating the link, redirecting the old page, or removing the link. Cleaning them up keeps your site healthy. 📈

Broken links are small leaks that frustrate visitors and Google alike. Here’s how to plug them. 💖

How to handle broken links

They cause 404s — dead-end pages
Hurt experience — frustrate visitors
Waste crawl effort — Google hits dead ends
Find them — checker or Search Console
Fix them — update, redirect or remove

💡 Plug the leaks. Broken links won’t tank your site overnight, but they signal neglect, frustrate visitors and waste Google’s crawl. Run a free checker now and then, and fix what you find — it’s easy site hygiene.

Frequently asked questions

What are broken links?

Broken links are links that lead to a page that no longer exists, usually showing a 404 error. They happen when a page is deleted or moved, or a URL is mistyped, and they create dead ends for visitors and Google.

Do broken links hurt SEO?

Indirectly, yes — they create a poor user experience and waste Google’s crawl effort. They won’t penalise you directly, but fixing them keeps your site healthy and visitors happy, which supports SEO.

How do I find and fix broken links?

Use a free broken-link checker or Google Search Console to find them, then fix each by updating the link, redirecting the old page to a relevant one, or removing the link if it’s no longer needed.

Keep reading 🤍

Written by

Kate, founder of Chronically Online

I help Gold Coast and Brisbane businesses grow with branding, websites and marketing that actually works.

Work with me ✦