Dead Link Checker
A dead link checker is a tool that crawls a page or site to find links that no longer resolve, typically returning errors like 404 or 410.
- Also called
- broken link checker, link validator
- Best for
- auditing internal and external links for SEO maintenance
- Data it reports
- status codes (404, 410, redirects), linked URLs, anchor text
Key points
- Dead link checkers help protect link equity by identifying broken URLs that waste crawl resources.
- Regular audits prevent user frustration and signal poor site maintenance to search engines.
- Tools vary in crawl depth, export options, and whether they check internal, external, or asset links.
- Fixing broken links typically involves removing, updating, or redirecting the target URL.
- Free tools may have limits; larger sites often require paid crawlers or recurring monitoring.
How it works
The tool starts from a given URL and fetches the page's HTML. It extracts all link elements (a href, img src, link href, script src, etc.) and makes HTTP requests to each. It records the HTTP status code returned.
For site-wide scans, the tool recursively follows internal links to discover more pages. It continues until it reaches its configured depth or crawl limit. The output is a list of broken links with their source page, target URL, and error code. Regularly performing this check for broken links on website is an essential part of seo tasks to maintain site health.
Many tools also check external links (to other domains) and referenced assets like images or CSS. Some report redirects (301, 307, 308) separately so you can distinguish temporary redirects from true dead links. This helps protect your crawl budget by avoiding wasted requests on broken paths.
How the tools differ
| Tool | Scope | Status codes checked | Export | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W3C Link Checker | Single page or site via URL | 404, 410, redirects | No built-in export | No explicit limit but slower on large sites |
| Google Search Console | Entire site (Google's data) | 404, soft 404, server errors | Download report | Limited to Google's crawl data |
| Screaming Frog (example) | Full site crawl | All HTTP status codes including redirects | CSV, Excel | Free up to 500 URLs |
| Check My Links (Chrome extension) | Current page only | 404, 410, redirects | Copy to clipboard | Single page only |
What it is not
- Belief: A dead link checker fixes broken links automatically. Correction: It only identifies them; the fix requires manual action.
- Belief: All redirects are broken links. Correction: Redirects (301, 302) are not dead links; they pass link equity, though excessive redirects can be a separate issue.
- Belief: Checking the homepage is enough. Correction: Broken links often hide in deeper pages, templates, or footer links; a full site crawl is needed.
- Belief: Free tools provide complete coverage for any site. Correction: Free tools have crawl limits and may miss pages; large sites need paid or recurring tools.
Common mistakes
- Only checking internal links and ignoring external links: Misses broken outbound links that harm user experience and credibility.
- Treating every 301 redirect as a problem: Wastes time fixing harmless redirects instead of focusing on true dead links.
- Running a one-time audit without scheduling regular checks: Broken links reappear as sites change; ongoing monitoring is needed.
- Using a tool that doesn't check assets (images, CSS, JS): Leaves broken resources that degrade page performance and user experience.
- Ignoring the impact of broken links seo can lead to loss of link equity and reduced rankings.
Questions people ask
Best broken link checker?
No single best tool; the choice depends on site size, budget, and need for automation. For small sites, free tools like W3C Link Checker or Check My Links work. For larger sites, paid crawlers like Screaming Frog or DeepCrawl offer deeper scans and export options.
Best free broken link checker?
W3C Link Checker is a reliable free option for single pages or small sites. Check My Links Chrome extension is free for checking the current page. Google Search Console provides free ongoing monitoring of site errors.
How to use check my links Chrome extension?
Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store. Navigate to the page you want to check, click the extension icon, and it scans all links on that page. Results show broken links in red; you can copy the list to clipboard.
Sources
- W3C Link Checker Standards-based checker that scans links, anchors, and referenced objects in a page or site.
- Google Search Central Best source for Google guidance on crawlability, indexing, and handling site errors.
- Google Search Console Help Primary Google product documentation for monitoring indexing and crawl issues.
- Dead Link Checker Canonical product example of a dead-link checking tool.
- BrokenLinkCheck.com Widely used free checker that documents internal and external link validation.
Written and maintained by Nora Lindholm. Last updated 27 July 2026.
Spotted an error? Email me — corrections are logged and credited on the entry. Outbound links are unpaid; most are nofollow.