Links are the backbone of the web. But if you are new to websites, it can be confusing to understand all the different types of links, why they matter, and what happens when they break. This guide explains it in plain language, so you can keep your website healthy and easy to use.
What are broken links (also called dead links)?
A broken link, sometimes called a dead link, is a link that does not work. When a visitor clicks, they end up on an error page (often a 404 error) or the page never loads. Broken links happen when pages are deleted, moved, or if there is a typo in the link.
They are bad for visitors because they create frustration, and bad for SEO because search engines see them as poor maintenance.
Why working links matter
- User trust: Visitors stay longer when everything works smoothly.
- SEO: Search engines like Google prefer sites with clean and working links.
- Conversions: Broken links on buttons or calls-to-action can cost you sales or leads.
Keeping links clean is one of the simplest ways to improve your website.
Internal vs external links
There are two main types of links:
- Internal links connect one page of your website to another. Example: from your homepage to your contact page.
- External links go from your site to another website. Example: linking to a source or partner.
Both are important, but they serve different purposes. Internal links guide visitors and search engines inside your own site, while external links provide references and credibility.
Internal linking SEO best practices
Internal links are like road signs for your website. They show visitors where to go and help Google understand your content. Here are simple rules:
- Always link to your most important pages (services, products, contact).
- Use descriptive anchor text (for example “view our pricing plans” instead of “click here”).
- Create logical paths – a blog post should link to a related service or category.
- Avoid orphan pages (pages with no internal links pointing to them).
Good internal linking makes your site easier to use and improves SEO without being complicated.
What is anchor text?
Anchor text is the clickable part of a link. For example: this is anchor text.
Good anchor text describes what the user will see after clicking. Avoid generic text like “read more” or “click here” because it tells neither visitors nor Google what the page is about.
Using the title attribute on links
Sometimes you will notice a small popup text when you hover over a link. This comes from the title attribute in the link code.
For example: (Move your cursor above the WordPress link below)
<a href="example.html" title="Learn more about SEO basics">SEO basics guide</a>
When should you use it?
- To give extra context if the anchor text alone is not clear.
- To explain abbreviations or short terms without making the anchor text too long.
- To improve accessibility for some users (screen readers can announce the title).
When should you avoid it?
- Do not use it as a replacement for good anchor text – the clickable text is always most important.
- Too many popups can be distracting on desktop and do not work well on touch screens (mobile/tablet).
Tip: Use the title attribute sparingly, only when it adds real value. Think of it as an optional “extra note”, not a requirement.
Rel attributes and nofollow explained
Sometimes you will see code like rel=”nofollow” or rel=”sponsored” inside a link. These are signals for search engines:
rel=”nofollow”: Tells Google not to pass SEO value through the link. Often used in comments or user-generated content.
- rel=”sponsored”: Used for paid or affiliate links.
- rel=”ugc”: Means “user generated content” – used for links in forums or comments.
If you are a beginner, you usually don’t need to add these manually, but it’s good to know what they mean.
How to find and fix broken links
You don’t have to check every link by hand. Use a free tool like our Broken Link Checker Tool to scan all links on a page and see if they work, redirect, or fail. Then update or remove broken links so your site stays healthy.
Quick checklist for link hygiene
- Run a broken link (dead link) check once in a while.
- Update old blog posts with fresh internal links.
- Check that your main navigation and footer links always work.
- Use descriptive anchor text that tells the user what to expect.
- Keep external links relevant and from trusted sites.
By keeping your links in order, you make your site easier to use and more trustworthy for both visitors and search engines.
FAQ: Links and SEO
What is a broken link?
A broken link, also called a dead link, is a link that leads to an error page or nowhere.
Why are broken links bad for SEO?
They create poor user experience and signal low-quality maintenance to search engines. Too many broken links can hurt rankings.
How do I find broken links on my site?
You can use a tool like the Broken Link Checker Tool. Just enter a page URL and it will show which links work, redirect, or fail.
What is anchor text?
It’s the clickable text in a link. Good anchor text is descriptive, like “SEO pricing guide”, not generic like “read more”.
What does nofollow mean?
A nofollow link tells Google not to pass SEO value to the linked page. It’s commonly used for ads, affiliate links, or in comments.
What does the title attribute do?
The title attribute adds a small popup text when you hover over a link. It can give extra context, but should not replace good anchor text.
How often should I check for broken links?
For small websites, once every few months is fine. For larger sites, especially e-commerce or blogs with many pages, monthly checks are recommended.