Software Engineering basics - Broken Backlink

What is a Broken Backlink?

A broken backlink is a link on a website that no longer works because the page it points to is missing or removed.

In simple terms:

  • A website links to another page.

  • But when someone clicks the link, they see an error like “404 Page Not Found.”

  • That link is called a broken backlink.

Why Do Broken Backlinks Happen?

Here are a few common reasons:

  1. The page was deleted on the original website.

  2. The URL was changed (for example, from /study-tips to /study-hacks).

  3. The website no longer exists or the domain expired.

  4. There’s a mistake in the link (like a typo).

Why Are Broken Backlinks Bad?

  • For users: They click the link expecting something helpful, but get an error.

  • For SEO: Broken backlinks can hurt a website’s reputation and user experience, which may lower its ranking on search engines.

Example

Let’s say a school blog links to a page called:
www.examhelp.com/study-tips

Later, the page is removed. Now when someone clicks the link, they get an error.

That link is a broken backlink because the destination no longer exists.

How to Fix Broken Backlinks?

  1. Update the link to the correct or new URL.

  2. Redirect the old URL to a new relevant page.

  3. Remove the link if there’s no replacement.

A broken backlink is a link that points to a web page that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s like giving someone directions to a place that’s been knocked down. It’s important to fix or remove broken backlinks to keep websites healthy and user-friendly.