You know how frustrating it is when you click on a link and end up with a “Page Not Found” error? As a website owner or digital marketer, you want to avoid that at all costs. Broken links can ruin the user experience and hurt your search rankings. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Google Search Console is a powerful tool that can help you find and fix those broken links.
In this guide, I’ll show you two simple ways to identify them and then walk you through the steps to fix them. By the end, your website will be running smoothly, and your visitors will never have to face that annoying 404 error again. Let’s get started!
Google Search Console offers two primary methods to identify broken links on your website: the Page Indexing section and the Crawl Report. Each method provides a unique approach to detecting and analyzing these problematic links, ensuring a comprehensive solution for maintaining a healthy and well-functioning website.
Among the two ways, this one is the simplest way to find broken links. The steps are quite easy. Follow the steps properly and you will be able to find the broken links. Here are the steps to follow –
Step 1 – Go to Page Indexing
Head over to the Google Search Console dashboard and click on Pages under the Indexing section. This section provides insights into the pages on your website that aren’t indexed and can’t be served on Google.
Step 2 – Look for Not Found (404)
In the Why pages aren’t indexed section, you’ll find a list. Look for Not Found (404) there.
This displays a list of URLs that Google has tried to crawl but received a 404 (Not Found) error response. These URLs represent broken links on your website.
Step 3 – Go Through Not Found and Find the Link
After navigating inside Not Found (404), there you will find the list of broken links. Here you will find all of your broken links.
Another way to find broken links in the Google Search Console is through the Crawl Report. Here’s how you can access it:
Step 1 – Expand Legacy Tools and Reports
In the Google Search Console dashboard, locate the Legacy Tools and Reports section and expand it. After that, click on Learn more.
Step 2 – Go through Crawl Stats
Within the Legacy Tools and Reports section, look for the Crawl Stats report. This report provides detailed information about Google’s crawling activity on your website. After finding it, click on it.
Step 3 – Get into Not Found (404) under By Response
In the Crawl Stats report, scroll down to the By Response section. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of the HTTP response codes Google has encountered while crawling your website. Look for the Not Found (404) entry, which will show you the number of broken links detected.
Alternatively, you can find the report in the Settings. Get inside the settings, scroll down and you will find the Crawl stats report under the Crawling section.
Identifying broken links is the first step toward maintaining a healthy website. However, the real challenge lies in effectively fixing these broken links to ensure a seamless user experience and maintain optimal search engine visibility.
Updating the Link: This Is the Simplest Solution if The Broken Link Is Due to A Minor Typo in The URL. Just Locate the Broken Link and Edit It to Reflect the Correct Web Address.
Redirecting the Link: If the Linked Page Has Permanently Moved to A New Location on Your Website, You Can Use a Redirect to Send Users to The New Address. This Helps Maintain User Experience and Avoids the “404 Not Found” Error Message. There Are Different Redirect Types (301 Redirects Being the Most Common), and The Specific Method for Implementing Redirects Depends on Your Website’s Content Management System (CMS).
Removing the Link: This Is the Option to Choose if The Linked Page No Longer Exists or Isn’t Relevant Anymore. Simply Delete the Broken Link from Your Website. This Ensures a Clean and Functional User Experience.
Remember, a well-maintained site with minimal broken links will not only make your visitors happy but also show search engines that you’re serious about your online presence. If you’re still unsure about anything or need further assistance, feel free to drop a comment below. I’ll be more than happy to help you out. Thanks for sticking with me until the end, and here’s to a broken link-free website!