How to Fix Broken Links
What it is
A broken link is a link that points to a page or file that no longer loads. Visitors usually see an error such as 404 Not Found, or the request simply times out.
Why it matters
- Visitors who hit a dead end may leave instead of finding what they need.
- Search engines follow links to understand your site, so many dead links can make a site look neglected and harder to crawl.
- Fixing them is usually quick and low-risk.
How to fix it
- Open the scan results and note each broken URL and the page it was found on.
- Open the broken URL in your browser to confirm it is really broken (some sites block automated checks but work fine for people).
- Fix the link: correct a typo, point it at the new address, or remove the link if the content is gone.
- If a page of your own moved, add a redirect from the old address to the new one.
- Re-scan to confirm the list is clear.
Platform tips
| WordPress | Edit the page or post, click the link text, then the link icon to change or unlink it. The free Redirection plugin can add redirects for your own moved pages. |
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| Wix | Open the editor, select the text or button, click the link icon and update or remove it. Redirects: Settings > Marketing & SEO > URL Redirect Manager. |
| Squarespace | Edit the page, click the link text and edit the link in the popup. Redirects: Settings > Developer Tools > URL Mappings. |
| Shopify | Edit the page, product or blog post, select the link and update it. Navigation links: Online Store > Navigation. Redirects: Online Store > Navigation > View URL Redirects. |
| Plain HTML | Search your HTML for the broken address and fix the href value in each file. Use your server settings or a redirect rule for moved pages. |
Related guides
Disclaimer: This guide is general, informational advice only and is not legal, medical, financial, compliance or professional advice. Menu names on platforms change over time; check the platform's own help if something looks different.