How Do You Find and Remove Broken Backlinks?
- Thread starter TrackBid
- Start date
ayesha.partnership
Newbie
- Jul 22, 2026
- 1
- 0
It depends on the quality and importance of the backlinks. I usually fix broken links if they're from valuable, relevant websites, redirect them where appropriate, and ignore or disavow low-quality or spammy ones if they pose an SEO risk.
- Aug 4, 2015
- 7,015
- 881
I usually check where the broken backlinks point. If the page moved, I add a 301 redirect or restore the page. If the link has no value, I simply leave it.
in most cases when i find a broken link on my webssite i take it as an opportunity instead of a problem. if the link exists on a relevant page nd it can bring me some advantage i investigate the reason y it broke nd whether it can be repaired. However irrelevant links will not occupy my time.
Sololeveling1
Newbie
- Jul 14, 2026
- 15
- 5
Set up a 301 redirect from the dead URL to the closest matching live page on your site. If it was a high-value link with a simple URL typo, you can drop the webmaster a quick email to update it, but a 301 solves 90% of these in under two minutes.
Sarcasti Cat
Registered Member
- Feb 13, 2026
- 56
- 18
I usually check if they have any SEO value first, then either fix the broken pages with redirects or ignore low-quality links that don’t matter.
MysticTurnip
Newbie
- May 2, 2026
- 30
- 7
I first check where the backlink is coming from. If it is a good website, I try to fix the broken page or create a relevant replacement.
RankVexa
Newbie
- Jul 19, 2026
- 12
- 2
It depends on what "broken backlinks" actually means. If a valuable backlink is pointing to a page that now returns a 404, I'd usually restore the page or set up a relevant 301 redirect so the link still has value. If it's just a low-quality or irrelevant link, I normally don't spend much time on it unless it's part of a bigger pattern. I prefer fixing issues that improve both user experience and crawlability instead of chasing every broken link individually.
businessxguy
Newbie
- Jan 7, 2022
- 14
- 4
Fix them whenever possible, or ignore them if they are toxic or low-quality.
Gene Lenny
Newbie
- Apr 1, 2025
- 26
- 7
If the broken link comes from a low-authority, unrelated, spam website, simply delete it.
- Oct 5, 2009
- 2,342
- 1,198
Hi @TrackBid
If the broken backlinks are pointing to pages you intentionally removed, I'd set up a 301 redirect to the most relevant page instead of leaving them as 404s. If the page is no longer needed and won't be replaced, you can also request its removal through GSC.
If the backlinks are from low-quality or spammy sites, I usually upload to disavow in GSC.
OutreachPilot
Registered Member
- Jul 13, 2026
- 53
- 9
I fix the ones that still have value with proper redirects or updated URLs. If they're low-quality or spammy, I usually ignore them unless they become a real issue.
jiroxys101
Registered Member
- Jun 28, 2015
- 81
- 13
The standard fix for experienced SEOs is setting up 301 redirects from broken URLs to the most relevant live pages to immediately reclaim link equity and traffic, or restoring the old content if the page had high volume, never ignore them as it wastes valuable backlink authority.
ShadowCrest92
Newbie
- Jul 20, 2026
- 10
- 0
If the old link is important, set up a simple 301 redirect to a similar page on your site. If it’s just a random typo on an irrelevant page, you can safely ignore it.
katherinejoyce
Registered Member
- Jul 2, 2026
- 94
- 4
I fix valuable broken backlink with 301 redirections. Its low quality then ignore them.
seobackxxx
Newbie
- Mar 5, 2023
- 15
- 2
There are well-known backlink tracking sites. I read the rules and, frankly, didn't list them because it might look like advertising. These sites allow you to track everything from broken backlinks to harmful ones. As you know, unfortunately, people use this for "anti-SEO" purposes.