Fix Broken Internal Links on Your Website
TL;DR:
- Broken internal links damage SEO and frustrate users who hit dead ends
- Use tools like SEOSpace or Screaming Frog to scan your site and find broken links
- Fix incorrect URLs by updating them or remove links to deleted pages entirely
- Set up 301 redirects for pages that have moved to new locations
- Squarespace users can fix links directly in the link editor and test in incognito mode
Broken internal links are one of those housekeeping tasks that's easy to ignore until they start causing real problems. When visitors click a link and land on a 404 page, they're likely to leave. Search engines aren't too happy about it either.
Finding Broken Links
The first step is knowing what you're dealing with. Tools like SEOSpace, Screaming Frog, or Google Search Console will crawl your site and flag any links that don't work.
SEOSpace is particularly good for this because it gives you a clear list of broken links without overwhelming you with technical details. Run a scan and you'll get a report showing exactly which links are broken and where they appear on your site.
Fixing the Problems
Once you have your list, you need to decide what to do with each broken link:
Update incorrect URLs – If the link points to the wrong page, simply update it with the correct URL. This happens more often than you'd think, especially after site restructures.
Remove dead links – If the target page no longer exists and won't be coming back, delete the link entirely. You can keep the text, just remove the hyperlink.
Set up redirects – For pages that have moved permanently, create a 301 redirect. This automatically sends users and search engines to the new location.
Squarespace-Specific Steps
If you're using Squarespace, the process is straightforward:
- Log into your account and navigate to the page containing the broken link
- Click on the text or element with the broken link
- Use the link editor to update the URL
- Save your changes
- Test the link in an incognito window to make sure it works
The incognito test is important because your browser might cache the old link, making it appear broken even after you've fixed it.
Prevention and Maintenance
Set up regular link checks rather than waiting for problems to surface. Most SEO tools let you schedule automated scans, so you can catch broken links before they pile up.
This is particularly important if you frequently update content or reorganise your site structure. What starts as a few broken links can quickly multiply if left unchecked.
FAQs
Why are broken internal links harmful to my website?
Broken links create dead ends that frustrate users and signal to search engines that your site isn't well-maintained. This can hurt your rankings and increase bounce rates.
What tools can help identify broken internal links?
SEOSpace, Screaming Frog, and Google Search Console are all effective. SEOSpace is user-friendly for beginners, while Screaming Frog offers more detailed technical analysis.
Should broken internal links be fixed immediately?
Yes, fix them as soon as you find them. Broken links compound over time and become harder to manage if you let them accumulate.
Do broken internal links affect SEO differently than broken external links?
Internal broken links are often more damaging because they disrupt the flow of authority through your site and can prevent search engines from discovering important pages.
Jargon Buster
Internal Links – Links that connect one page of your website to another page on the same site
301 Redirect – A permanent redirect that automatically sends users and search engines from an old URL to a new one
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – The practice of improving your website to rank higher in search engine results
404 Error – The error page users see when they try to access a page that doesn't exist
Wrap-up
Fixing broken internal links isn't glamorous work, but it's essential for keeping your website healthy. Regular maintenance prevents small issues from becoming big problems and ensures your visitors can navigate your site without hitting dead ends.
The key is making it routine. Set up automated scans, fix problems promptly, and always test your changes before considering the job done.
Join Pixelhaze Academy for more practical web maintenance guides and SEO strategies.