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:
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A website links to another page.
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But when someone clicks the link, they see an error like “404 Page Not Found.”
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That link is called a broken backlink.
Why Do Broken Backlinks Happen?
Here are a few common reasons:
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The page was deleted on the original website.
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The URL was changed (for example, from
/study-tips
to/study-hacks
). -
The website no longer exists or the domain expired.
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There’s a mistake in the link (like a typo).
Why Are Broken Backlinks Bad?
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For users: They click the link expecting something helpful, but get an error.
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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?
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Update the link to the correct or new URL.
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Redirect the old URL to a new relevant page.
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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.