A website does not lose performance overnight. Most declines happen gradually, often due to small technical issues that remain unnoticed for months. One of the most common and most damaging of these issues is broken links. Links are meant to guide users and search engines smoothly from one page to another. When they fail, confidence drops and performance follows. Learning how to find broken links Ahrefs allows website owners to protect what they have already built. Instead of chasing new traffic endlessly, this process focuses on strengthening the existing structure. The result is a website that feels reliable, navigable, and trustworthy, both for users and for search engines.
What Are Broken Links and Why Do They Exist?
Broken links are hyperlinks that no longer lead to a working page. Instead of opening useful content, they return error responses, usually indicating that the destination page is missing or unavailable. These errors occur when pages are deleted, URLs are changed, or entire websites remove content without maintaining references.
Broken links are not always the result of negligence. They often appear naturally as websites grow, redesign their structure, or update older material. However, when these links remain unresolved, they create a fragmented browsing experience. Users encounter interruptions, while search engines struggle to follow logical pathways across the site. Understanding what broken links are is essential before attempting to manage them. Without this clarity, fixes become random rather than strategic.
Why Find Broken Links Ahrefs Hurt User Experience and SEO Performance?
User experience relies heavily on continuity. When a visitor clicks a link, they expect the journey to continue smoothly. A broken link breaks that flow and introduces frustration, even if the content around it is strong.
Search engines interpret these interruptions as signals of poor maintenance. Crawlers follow links to understand site structure and content relationships. When links lead nowhere, crawl paths are disrupted, and valuable pages may receive less attention over time.
This is why professionals consistently find broken links Ahrefs instead of waiting for rankings or engagement metrics to decline. Preventive maintenance always costs less than recovery.
Types of Broken Links You Need to Monitor
Not all broken links behave the same way, and treating them as a single category leads to ineffective fixes. Each type affects a website differently and requires a different approach.
- Internal broken links exist within your own site and usually appear after content updates, URL changes, or page removals.
- External broken backlinks originate from other websites pointing to pages that no longer exist on your domain.
- Outbound broken links occur when your site links to external pages that have been removed or relocated.
Recognizing these differences allows you to prioritize correctly and avoid wasting time on low-impact fixes.
Why Ahrefs Is Effective for Broken Link Analysis?
Ahrefs stands out because it validates links rather than estimating their condition. It crawls pages, checks server responses, and records exact error types. This level of accuracy is crucial when making SEO decisions that affect long-term performance.
Instead of simply listing broken URLs, Ahrefs shows where the link originated, what anchor text was used, and how important that link might be from an authority perspective. This context transforms raw data into actionable insight. Because of this depth, find broken links Ahrefs becomes a reliable process rather than a surface-level scan.
How Find Broken Links Ahrefs Works in Real Scenarios?
In practical terms, the process begins with entering a domain into Ahrefs’ Site Explorer. The tool then analyzes internal structure, backlink profiles, and page responses to identify failures.
Once the crawl completes, broken links are grouped into clear reports. These reports help identify whether issues are isolated or widespread, recent or long-standing. This distinction is important because it guides how aggressively fixes should be applied. Real-world usage shows that most broken link problems follow patterns, which Ahrefs helps uncover quickly.
Accessing Site Explorer to Begin the Audit
Site Explorer acts as the control center for link analysis within Ahrefs. Entering your domain here provides a complete snapshot of how your site is connected internally and externally. After the data loads, you can view backlink metrics, referring domains, and error reports in one place. This consolidated view saves time and reduces the risk of overlooking critical issues. Without this step, broken link analysis lacks the context needed for confident decision-making.
Locating and Understanding the Broken Links Report
Within Site Explorer, broken link reports are found under backlink and page-related sections. These reports list URLs that return error responses along with detailed context. Each entry includes the source page, the broken destination, and the type of error encountered. This information explains not only what failed, but also why it matters. Interpreting this report correctly is the core of find broken links Ahrefs, because it transforms technical errors into strategic fixes.
Find Broken Links Ahrefs: Internal Broken Links and Their Structural Impact
Internal broken links weaken a site from within. They interrupt navigation, reduce crawl efficiency, and confuse both users and search engines. These links often appear after site redesigns, category changes, or content pruning. Because they are fully under your control, internal broken links should be addressed first. Regular audits using find broken links Ahrefs help maintain a clean internal structure that supports long-term SEO stability.
External Broken Backlinks and Lost SEO Value
External broken backlinks represent lost opportunity rather than just damage. These links once passed authority and relevance to your site. When the destination page disappears, that value is lost unless action is taken. In many cases, restoring content or redirecting to a relevant alternative can recover that authority. Ahrefs highlights these links clearly, making it easier to focus effort where it produces measurable SEO gains.
How to Decide Which Broken Links to Fix First?
Fixing every broken link at once is rarely practical. Prioritization ensures that effort produces results rather than exhaustion. High-value links deserve immediate attention, especially those pointing to important content or coming from authoritative domains. Lower-impact links can be scheduled later.
Effective prioritization considers:
- Page importance within your site structure
- Referral traffic history
- Authority of linking domains
This approach ensures that find broken links Ahrefs delivers tangible improvements instead of cosmetic cleanup.
Methods to Fix Broken Links Safely
Different situations require different fixes. Choosing the wrong solution can create new problems. Updating links works best when content still exists under a new URL. Redirects are appropriate when relevance is preserved. Removing links is suitable when no replacement exists. Each method should be applied carefully, with relevance as the guiding principle rather than convenience.
Common Causes of Broken Links and Solutions
Before applying fixes, understanding root causes helps prevent recurrence.
| Cause | Explanation | Best Resolution |
| Deleted pages | Content removed permanently | Redirect or remove |
| URL changes | Slug or folder modified | Update references |
| External removal | Linked site deleted page | Replace or remove |
| Entry errors | Incorrect URL typed | Correct link |
Identifying patterns reduces future maintenance effort.
Internal vs External Broken Links Comparison
Different broken links require different strategies and levels of effort.
| Link Category | Level of Control | SEO Impact | Priority Level |
| Internal broken links | Full control | Medium | High |
| External broken backlinks | Partial control | High | High |
| Outbound broken links | Full control | Low | Medium |
This clarity helps allocate resources effectively.
Monitoring and Maintaining Broken Links Over Time
Broken links reappear as websites evolve. Content updates, platform changes, and external site updates all contribute. Establishing a routine ensures issues remain small and manageable. Monthly checks suit dynamic sites, while quarterly reviews work for stable platforms. Consistent use of find broken links Ahrefs keeps websites resilient rather than reactive.
Final Thoughts on Find Broken Links Ahrefs
Website success depends on reliability as much as innovation. Broken links quietly undermine that reliability if ignored. Learning how to find broken links Ahrefs gives you control over an often-overlooked factor that influences both user satisfaction and search performance. When links function as expected, trust increases, crawl paths remain clean, and content performs closer to its true potential.
By making broken link management a regular habit instead of an occasional fix, you strengthen your website from the inside out, creating stability that supports long-term growth.
Also Read About: What Is My Ahrefs Ranking? Check Website Authority Clearly