Link building is a big part of SEO. It helps your website rank higher and get more visitors. But not all link-building methods work well. Some take a lot of time and effort without good results. That’s why broken link building is so popular. It’s simple, helpful, and works for everyone.
In 2025, the online world is more competitive than ever. Every website wants to show up on the first page of search results. To do that, you need strong, high-quality backlinks. Broken link building helps you get those links in a natural and easy way. It’s not just about getting links—it’s about helping others fix their websites. And when you help others, they often help you too.
What is Broken Link Building in SEO and Why it’s a Game-Changer?
The internet is full of broken links. Websites change, pages get removed, and links stop working. When someone clicks a broken link, they see a 404 error page. This creates a bad user experience and hurts the website’s SEO. That’s where you come in. You can offer a working link to your content as a replacement. This helps the website owner and earns you a valuable backlink.
One of the best things about broken link building is that everyone wins. The website owner fixes their broken link. You get a backlink to your content. It’s a simple and friendly exchange. This makes website owners more likely to accept your offer.
Broken link building also helps you get high-quality backlinks. When you find broken links on popular websites, those backlinks are more powerful. They help your site rank higher on search engines. Plus, visitors from those sites are more likely to be interested in your content.
This method works for almost any website. Whether you have a blog, an online store, or a service-based business, you can use broken link building. The key is to find broken links that match your content. Then offer a helpful and relevant replacement. This makes it easy for website owners to say yes.
Even though it’s simple, broken link building needs the right approach. You have to find the right opportunities, create good content, and reach out politely. If you do it right, you can turn broken links into a steady source of strong backlinks.
In a competitive SEO world, this method really stands out. Search engines love natural and high-quality links. Broken link building helps you get those links without using any tricks. It’s a safe and effective strategy that brings real results.
If other link-building methods haven’t worked for you, give this one a try. It often has better success because you’re helping someone fix a problem. When you offer real value, people are more likely to link to your site.
Why Broken Link Building Works So Well
Broken link building works because it’s different. Most outreach emails ask for something, like a link, without giving anything back. This often doesn’t work because people don’t like to feel like they’re being asked for favors all the time.
But with broken link building, you do something different. You offer help first. Instead of just asking for a link, you point out a broken link on their website and offer a solution. You suggest your content as a replacement.
This makes it easier for the website owner to say yes. They don’t just have to give something for nothing. They get help fixing their site, and you get a valuable backlink in return.
When you offer something useful, people are more likely to help you. Broken link building is a friendly way to ask for links. It shows that you care about the other person’s site.
This method is not just about asking. It’s about helping first and then asking. The website owner gets rid of old, broken links, and you get a link to your site.
That’s why broken link building works. It’s simple, friendly, and helpful.
The Broken Link Building Process: Simple Steps
Broken link building is a great way to boost your SEO and get more traffic. It might sound complicated, but it’s actually very simple. Let’s break it down into easy steps.
The first thing you need to do is find broken links. These are links on websites that no longer work. When you click them, you get a “404 error” page, which means the page is gone. Links can break for many reasons. Maybe the website removed the page or the URL changed.
Once you find these broken links, you need to find content that can replace them. Look for pages on your site that are helpful and match the topic of the broken link. If your page can replace the broken one, you’re ready for the next step.
The next step is to contact the website owner. This is where outreach comes in. You will send them a friendly message saying, “Hey, I noticed you have a broken link. I have a page that might be a good replacement.” You offer your page as the solution.
There are tools that can help you find broken links. Tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, and Semrush can help you find broken links on your site or on other websites. These tools scan websites and show you if any links are broken.
After you find broken links, you need to decide if they are worth fixing. It’s better to focus on links from high-quality websites. These links will help improve your site’s reputation and ranking.
Once you find the best broken links, you need to find the right person to contact. You want to reach the webmaster or content manager. Send them a nice email and let them know about the broken link. Offer your page as a helpful replacement.
Now that you know the steps, it’s time to dive deeper into each one. In the next section, we will show you exactly how to do broken link building the right way.
1. Find Broken Backlinks for Your Website
The first step in broken link building is finding broken backlinks. These are links on other websites that should be pointing to your site but no longer work. When these links break, it’s a missed opportunity. But, it’s also a chance to fix the link and ask the website owner to replace it with one that works.
You can use tools like Semrush to find broken backlinks. Start by entering your website’s URL into the Backlink Audit tool. After that, follow a few simple steps to set it up. When it’s done, you’ll see a list of broken links pointing to your site.
In Semrush, you can filter links that lead to pages with errors like 4xx or 5xx. These error codes mean the page no longer exists. Checking the “Target URL error” box will help you find these links easily.
You also want to avoid fixing bad links. To do that, use the “Toxicity Score” filter. Choose “0-44 Non-toxic,” so you don’t fix links that could hurt your website.
After filtering out the bad links, you can export the results to a CSV file. This will give you a list of all the broken links pointing to your site. You can then use this list to reach out to the website owners and ask them to update the links.
Fixing broken backlinks helps your website. By getting them fixed, you improve your SEO and get more traffic. It’s a simple step that can have a big impact!
2. Find Competitors’ Broken Backlinks and Use Them
If you want to improve your website’s SEO, you can find broken backlinks on competitors’ sites and use them for your own. Broken backlinks are links that don’t work anymore. By replacing these broken links with your content, you can get valuable backlinks.
First, you need to look at your competitors’ backlinks. Tools like Semrush can help with this. Enter your domain and click “Analyze.” Then, click on the “Competitors” tab to see which sites are competing with yours. The more backlinks you share with them, the better your chances of finding broken links to steal.
Once you find a competitor’s domain, click on it. Then, go to the “Indexed Pages” section. Here, you can filter for “Broken Pages.” These pages have errors, like 404 or 500 errors. These are the pages you want.
When you find broken pages, look at which sites link to them. Click on the number in the “Backlinks” column to see more details. You’ll want to focus on “Active” backlinks, as these could be replaced with your content. You can export this data to a spreadsheet. Then, repeat this for other competitors. This will give you a list of broken links to target.
3. Find Broken Links on Resource Pages
Another way to find broken backlinks is by checking resource pages. These pages list useful links for a specific topic. Over time, some of these links become broken. You can replace them with your content.
To find these pages, use Google search. Try phrases like “useful links” AND [your topic] or “[your topic] intitle:’useful resources'”. These searches will show you pages that link to other websites. Once you find these pages, you can use a tool like Check My Links to quickly find broken links.
Feel free to check out the full guide on resource page link building here!
4. Finding Broken Links on Old Blog Posts
Another one simple way to find broken links is by looking at old blog posts in your niche. These posts often have links to helpful resources. You can click on each link and see if it still works. If you find a broken link, you can write it down and think about how your content might fit as a replacement.
This method may take some time, but it’s worth it. You’ll find opportunities that others might miss. Plus, it’s a great chance to connect with blog owners and offer your help. When you let them know about the broken link and suggest your content as a fix, you’re giving them something valuable.
Use Check My Links to Find Broken Links
Check My Links is a simple tool that helps you find broken links. It’s a Chrome extension. After installing it, you’ll see an icon in the top-right corner of your browser. Click on this icon, and Check My Links will scan the page. It will highlight broken links in red.
If you find a broken link that’s relevant to your business, use Semrush’s Backlink Analytics tool to see which sites link to that broken page. This will help you find more opportunities to replace the broken link with your content. You can export this information to a spreadsheet to keep track.
5. Creating High-Quality Replacement Content
When you’ve found a broken link, it’s time to think about your replacement content. The new content needs to be just as good as the original one. First, make sure your content is directly related to the broken link. It should cover the same topic and provide helpful information. If your content is useful, the website owner is more likely to replace the broken link with yours.
To make sure your content fits well, take a look at the page where the broken link was. Read through it and think about how your content can improve or update the information. Maybe you can add something new, make it more detailed, or even fix some outdated facts. This makes your content a great choice to replace the old, broken link.
Next, think about how your content looks. A clean, easy-to-read format is important. Use headings, bullet points, and images to make it more engaging. This will show the website owner that your content is of high quality and easy for readers to follow.
The length of your content also matters. It should be long enough to cover the topic well, but not too long or complicated. Keep it simple and clear. If you already have content that works, great! Just make sure it’s up-to-date. If not, you may need to create something new that fits the topic of the broken link.
If your content is a good fit and offers useful information, it’s time to send it to the website owner. Make sure you show how your content can help their readers and improve their page.
5. Reaching Out to Website Owners
Now you need to do is figure out who to contact. Look for the person who wrote the article or a contact listed on the site. Often, you’ll find their name on the “About” or “Contact” page. It’s best to reach out to a specific person rather than a generic email.
If you can’t find a contact, try looking for the writer’s profile on social media sites like LinkedIn. This can help you find the right person to email. Once you know who to contact, make sure the broken link is really broken. You’ll want to explain why your link is a good replacement.
Now, it’s time to write your email. Keep it short and friendly. Start by saying hello and mentioning the broken link right away. Let them know that you have a good alternative for it. Make sure to include the link to your content so they can easily check it out.
Here’s an easy-to-follow email example:
Subject: Found a Broken Link on Your Website
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I was reading your article on [topic] and noticed a broken link to [old URL]. Since it no longer works, I thought you might like a replacement. I recently published a new piece on [topic], and I think it would be a great fit.
Here’s the link: [Your URL]
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
[Your Name]
This email is short, polite, and easy to understand. It explains the problem and offers a helpful solution. After sending your email, wait a few days for a response. If you don’t hear back, feel free to follow up.
Broken link building is a great way to get backlinks, but remember, being polite and helpful will make your outreach more successful. Keep things simple, friendly, and clear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re doing broken link building, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes. One big mistake is not checking the link before you reach out. Always make sure the link is actually broken. If it’s not, your email might look careless, and the website owner could ignore you. Take a few seconds to double-check the link before moving forward.
Another mistake is suggesting content that doesn’t match. If the broken link is about one thing, make sure your content is about something similar. Offering a random piece of content won’t work. Your content needs to make sense as a replacement for the broken link.
Also, don’t send the same email to everyone. If you send a generic email to a lot of people, it might look like spam. It’s better to personalize your message. When you show that you’ve put thought into your email, it feels more friendly and genuine.
Not following up is another mistake. Sometimes people don’t see your first email. A quick follow-up after a few days can remind them. Keep it simple and polite, and ask if they had time to look at your suggestion.
It’s also important not to be too pushy. Sending too many emails or demanding a link won’t help. Be polite and kind. People are more likely to help if they feel respected and appreciated.
By avoiding these mistakes, your chances of success will improve. Always check the link, make sure your content fits, personalize your emails, follow up kindly, and stay respectful. This way, you’ll have a much better chance of getting the link you want!
The Future of Broken Link Building
Broken link building has been helpful for SEO for a long time, and it will still be useful in the future. As search engines get smarter, user experience is more important than ever. Fixing broken links on websites improves their quality, which is why broken link building will stay effective. But there will be some changes in 2025.
First, expect more competition. As more SEO experts learn about this method, more people will use it. To stand out, you’ll need to send better outreach emails and offer even better content. Personalized emails and high-quality content will help you get noticed.
AI will also play a bigger role. Tools powered by AI will make it easier to find broken links. But even with AI, you’ll still need to be creative and put effort into making your outreach personal and relevant.
Content will also need to be better. Websites will only replace broken links with high-quality content that’s useful and engaging. This means your replacement content must be top-notch and truly valuable to readers.
To succeed, you’ll need to adapt. Use the latest tools, offer great content, and improve how you reach out to website owners. SEO is always changing, but if you stay ahead, you’ll keep getting results.
In the future, broken link building will still be a powerful strategy, but only for those who keep improving. Stay updated, keep learning, and you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
Final Thoughts
Broken link building is a great way to improve your SEO and get strong backlinks. It’s about finding broken links, creating helpful content, and reaching out to website owners in a friendly way. When you do this right, both you and the website owner benefit.
To be successful, avoid common mistakes like sending too many emails or suggesting content that doesn’t fit. It’s important to personalize your outreach and make sure your content is a good match. Being consistent and helpful will increase your chances of success.
