Links are how websites connect users and search engines to content. When links fail, pages become harder to use, harder to crawl and harder to trust. Link testing is primarily used to troubleshoot why a link is broken. If your site audit returns a broken link, the next step is identifying whether it’s a DNS issue, a bad redirect, a broken HTTPs or something else.
This guide explains what a link tester is, how to test a link, which link testers we frequently use and recommend for our clients, why broken link tests matter for SEO and how link testing supports long-term website health.
What is a link tester (or URL tester)
A link tester is a diagnostic tool or method used to check whether a link leads to its intended destination or if not, what is the reason that it doesn’t. When you test a link, you are essentially asking whether it loads correctly, returns the right response and provides a good experience for users. If your link isn’t working properly, a link tester can help you troubleshoot the issue and fix it.
At a basic level, a link tester checks if a URL works. At a more advanced level, a website link tester can analyze hundreds or thousands of links across a site automatically. It can identify broken links, slow responses, redirect chains and other issues that are difficult to catch manually.
Link testers typically check several types of links found publicly on the internet. External links that point to other websites, image and asset links and redirected URLs. Each of these can fail in different ways and each failure can affect user experience and SEO.
Understanding what a link tester does helps clarify why simply clicking a few links by hand is often not enough.
Why broken links are a problem
Broken links reduce trust and usability. When users click a link and reach a 404 error page, the experience feels unreliable and incomplete. This often leads to frustration, abandonment and lost conversions, especially on important pages.
Broken links can also hide valuable content and disrupt navigation. Even a single broken link in a high-visibility area can negatively affect engagement and credibility.
Link testing for SEO and search visibility
Search engines use links to crawl websites, understand structure and evaluate content relationships. Internal links distribute ranking signals, while external links provide context and authority.
When links break, crawl efficiency decreases and important pages may be missed or deprioritized. Regular link testing helps maintain a clear site structure, improves crawlability and supports consistent search visibility.
Link testing for user experience and accessibility
Users expect links to work. Broken links interrupt navigation, increase frustration and reduce engagement. Reliable links make it easier for visitors to find and trust content.
Accessibility also depends on link quality. Screen readers and assistive technologies rely on clear, functioning links to guide users through a site. Consistent link testing helps create a smoother, more inclusive experience for all users.
How links work on the web
When a user clicks a link, their browser requests the associated resource and receives a status code in response. Working links load correctly, while broken links return errors or redirect users unexpectedly.
Search engines rely on these same signals to crawl and evaluate websites. When links fail or behave inconsistently, crawl efficiency and site quality can suffer, which is why links need to be tested carefully.
What is a broken link test
A broken link test is the process of identifying links that no longer work as intended. When you run a broken link test, you are looking for URLs that return errors, dead ends or misleading responses.
Broken links can happen for many reasons. Pages may be deleted, URLs may change during a site redesign, external resources may disappear or servers may experience configuration issues. Even small changes, such as switching from HTTP to HTTPS, can create broken links if not handled properly.
Broken links are not always obvious. Some return clear error messages while others appear to load but fail silently or redirect users in unexpected ways. A thorough broken link test helps uncover both obvious and hidden issues before they impact visitors.
How to test a link manually
Manually testing a link involves clicking it and observing what happens. This is often the first step people take when they want to test this link quickly.
To manually test a link, you can click it in a browser and see whether it loads correctly. You can also copy the URL and paste it directly into the address bar. For more advanced checks, browser developer tools can reveal status codes and redirect behavior.
Manual testing is useful for spot checks and troubleshooting specific issues. However, it does not scale well. On a site with dozens or hundreds of pages, manually checking every link is time-consuming and error-prone. This is why manual testing alone is rarely sufficient for ongoing maintenance.
How a website link tester automates link testing
A website link tester automates the process of checking links across one or more pages. Instead of clicking links individually, the tool crawls pages and tests each link programmatically.
Automated link testers can detect broken links, redirects, slow responses and unreachable resources. They often return detailed reports showing which links failed, where they appear and what type of issue occurred.
Automation allows site owners to test links regularly and consistently. It also makes it possible to monitor large sites that would be impossible to check manually. By using a link tester, teams can identify issues early and fix them before users notice.
Types of link tests you can run
There are several types of link tests depending on your goals.
- A single URL test focuses on one specific link. This is useful when you want to test a link before publishing content or sharing it publicly.
- A full site crawl checks all links across a website. This is common during audits, migrations or routine maintenance.
- External link tests focus on outbound links to other sites. These links are more likely to break over time since you do not control the destination.
- Internal link tests examine how pages connect within your site. These are critical for SEO and navigation.
- Recurring tests run automatically on a schedule. This approach helps catch new issues as content changes.
Which link testers we use and recommend
There isn’t a single link tester that works best in every situation. In practice, we use a combination of different tools.
Including:
- Browser-based tools, such as httpstatus.io
- Command-line tools such as curl.
- SEO crawlers such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
Browser-based tools and developer consoles are useful for quickly validating individual links and understanding redirect behavior from a user’s perspective, while command-line tools help inspect status codes and redirect chains more precisely. For larger audits, SEO crawlers make it easier to identify broken links, redirect chains and systemic issues across entire sites.
Using multiple link testers provides a more accurate picture of link health than relying on a single tool. Each approach highlights different issues, from user-facing delays to crawl inefficiencies.
When and how often you should test links
How often you should test links depends on the size and activity level of your site. Content-heavy blogs and e-commerce sites benefit from frequent testing since links often change.
At a minimum, it is wise to run a broken link test after major updates, redesigns or migrations. For active sites, regular testing helps ensure ongoing stability.
Testing links is not a one-time task. It is part of maintaining a healthy website over time.
Common misconceptions about link testing
Link testing is often misunderstood or underestimated. Many websites suffer from broken or inefficient links, not because owners ignore quality, but because they rely on assumptions that are only partially true. Clearing up these misconceptions helps teams treat link testing as a strategic practice rather than an occasional cleanup task.
Misconception 1: Small websites do not need link testing
It is easy to assume that link testing is only necessary for large or complex websites. In reality, smaller sites are often more vulnerable to link issues because they rely heavily on a limited number of pages and navigation paths. One broken link on a small site can block access to key information, damage credibility or interrupt a conversion path entirely. Link testing is about reliability, not scale.
Misconception 2: Broken links do not affect SEO
Some believe that modern search engines simply ignore broken links. While search engines are good at handling occasional errors, persistent broken links still create problems. They waste crawl budget, weaken internal linking structures and can prevent important pages from being discovered or re-evaluated. Over time, poor link health sends a signal of neglect, which can indirectly impact rankings and visibility.
Misconception 3: Redirects fix all link problems
Redirects are useful, but they are not a cure-all. Long redirect chains slow down page loads and degrade user experience. Incorrect redirects can send users to irrelevant content, which increases bounce rates and confusion. Link testing helps identify when redirects are appropriate and when links should be updated or removed instead of patched.
Misconception 4: Manual checks are enough
Clicking a few links in a browser may catch obvious issues, but it does not provide full coverage. Manual checks miss links hidden in templates, footers, paginated content and older pages. They also cannot reliably detect status codes, timeout errors or intermittent failures. Automated link testing exists because modern websites are too dynamic and interconnected for manual verification alone.
Misconception 5: External links are not your responsibility
It is true that you do not control external websites, but linking to broken or unreliable resources still affects your users. External links can decay over time as pages are moved, removed or restructured. A broken outbound link reflects poorly on your site and interrupts the user journey. Regular link testing helps you monitor external links and replace or update them when needed.
Misconception 6: Link testing is a one-time audit
Link testing is often treated as a task to complete before launch or after a redesign. In reality, links change constantly as content is added, updated or removed. External sites evolve without warning. Treating link testing as a recurring process, rather than a one-off audit, is essential for long-term website health.
Misconception 7: Link testing is only a technical concern
Link testing is sometimes viewed as a developer-only responsibility. In practice, it affects content teams, SEO teams, marketers and product owners. Content updates can introduce broken links. Marketing campaigns rely on accurate URLs. SEO performance depends on clean internal linking. Link testing sits at the intersection of technical quality, content accuracy and user trust.
How to interpret link tester results
When reviewing link tester results, it is important to understand what the data means. Status codes indicate whether a link succeeded, failed or redirected.
Not all issues require immediate action. Prioritization matters. Links in high-traffic pages or conversion paths should be addressed first.
Patterns in the data often reveal root causes such as outdated content templates or recurring external link failures. Interpreting results thoughtfully turns raw data into actionable insights.
Understanding HTTP status codes in link test results
Link testers rely on HTTP status codes to describe what happens when a link is requested. These codes fall into several categories, each with different implications.
200-level codes: successful links
200 OK
This means the link works as expected and the requested page or resource loaded successfully. Links returning a 200 status code generally require no action.
204 no content
The request succeeded, but no content was returned. This is uncommon for normal pages, but may be acceptable for certain API endpoints or tracking URLs.
How to treat them:
- Confirm the destination is correct.
- No further action is typically needed.
300 level codes: redirects
Redirects are not inherently bad, but they should be intentional and efficient.
The link permanently redirects to a new URL. This is often used after site migrations or URL changes.
302 found or 307 temporary redirect
The link redirects temporarily. These should be used sparingly, as long-term temporary redirects can confuse search engines.
308 permanent redirect
Similar to a 301, but more explicit in preserving request methods.
How to treat them:
- Update internal links to point directly to the final destination.
- Avoid long redirect chains.
- Ensure redirects align with SEO intent.
400-level codes: client errors
These codes indicate that the link is broken or unusable from the visitor’s perspective.
404 not found
The most common broken link. The destination page does not exist.
410 gone
The page has been intentionally removed and is not coming back.
400 bad request
The server could not understand the request, often due to malformed URLs.
403 forbidden
The server is refusing access. This can occur with restricted resources or misconfigured permissions.
How to treat them:
- Fix or remove internal links returning 404 or 410.
- Replace or update external links when possible.
- Investigate 403 errors to determine whether access restrictions are intentional.
500-level codes: server errors
These indicate problems on the server side and may be intermittent.
500 internal server error
A generic server failure. The link may work sometimes and fail at others.
502 bad gateway
The server received an invalid response from an upstream server.
503 service unavailable
The server is temporarily unavailable, often due to maintenance or overload.
504 gateway timeout
The server took too long to respond.
How to treat them:
- Retest links to confirm whether errors persist.
- Investigate hosting or infrastructure issues for internal links.
- Monitor external links for recurring failures.
Best practices after running a broken link test
Finding broken links is only the first step. The real value of a broken link test comes from how you respond to the results. Without a structured approach, it is easy to fix symptoms while missing underlying issues that cause links to break in the first place.
1. Categorize and prioritize link issues
Not all broken links require the same level of urgency. Start by grouping issues based on impact.
High priority
- Broken internal links returning 404 or 410.
- Links in navigation menus, templates or conversion paths.
- Errors affecting high traffic or high value pages.
Medium priority
- External links returning 404.
- Long redirect chains.
- Temporary redirects being used long-term.
Lower priority
- Rarely visited pages.
- Non-critical external resources.
- Legacy content scheduled for removal.
This prioritization ensures that fixes deliver meaningful improvements quickly.
2. Fix internal links at the source
For internal links, updating the source is almost always the best solution.
Steps to take:
- Identify the page where the broken link appears
- Update the link to the correct or current URL
- Verify the updated link returns a 200 OK status
- Retest the page using your link tester
Avoid relying on redirects for internal links. Direct links improve performance, clarity and crawl efficiency.
3. Decide when to use redirects
Redirects should be intentional and limited to specific scenarios.
Use redirects when:
- A page has permanently moved and still has value.
- External links point to outdated URLs you cannot update directly.
- Bookmarks or legacy URLs need to remain functional.
Best practices for redirects:
- Use 301 redirects for permanent changes.
- Avoid redirect chains.
- Periodically review existing redirects.
Redirects are a tool, not a substitute for proper link maintenance.
4. Handle external broken links thoughtfully
External links require a different approach since you do not control the destination.
Steps to take:
- Check whether a newer or equivalent resource exists
- Update the link if a suitable replacement is available
- Remove the link if it no longer adds value
- Consider linking to archived or authoritative alternatives
Leaving broken external links in place degrades user trust even if they do not directly affect site functionality.
5. Review 500-level errors carefully
Server errors may be intermittent and require validation.
Steps to take:
- Retest the link to confirm the issue persists.
- Check server logs for internal errors.
- Coordinate with hosting or infrastructure teams.
- Monitor affected links over time.
Do not ignore recurring 500-level errors. They often signal deeper performance or stability problems.
6. Update links in templates and CMS components
Many broken links originate from shared components such as headers, footers or content blocks.
Steps to take:
- Identify whether broken links appear across multiple pages.
- Update links in templates rather than individual pages.
- Re-run your broken link test after changes.
Fixing issues at the template level prevents widespread recurrence.
7. Establish ongoing monitoring and documentation
Fixing broken links once is not enough. Long-term link health depends on tracking what was fixed, why it broke and how similar issues can be prevented in the future. Documenting link changes creates institutional knowledge and helps teams avoid repeating the same mistakes.
What to document:
- Which links were fixed, removed or redirected.
- The underlying cause of each issue.
- Whether the fix was a one-time correction or a systemic change.
In parallel, schedule follow-up link tests to ensure fixes remain effective. Run tests after major updates, set recurring scans based on site size and update frequency and pay close attention to high-risk areas such as external links and older content. Together, documentation and regular testing turn link maintenance into a proactive process rather than a reactive one.
8. Validate results and improve future workflows
After fixes are complete, confirm that your efforts were successful and did not introduce new issues. Re-run the broken link test, verify that error counts have decreased and manually spot-check high-impact pages such as navigation paths and conversion flows. Continue monitoring over time to catch new problems early.
Use the insights from link testing to strengthen content and publishing workflows. This may include verifying links before publishing, standardizing internal link structures, auditing older content on a schedule and assigning clear ownership for link health. These improvements reduce future link issues and help ensure link quality is maintained as the site grows.
How link testing fits into ongoing website maintenance
Link testing works best when integrated into a broader maintenance workflow. Alongside content updates, performance checks and security reviews, it helps ensure overall site quality.
Proactive link testing reduces emergencies and improves consistency. Instead of reacting to user complaints, issues can be resolved quietly and efficiently.
Treating link testing as a routine practice strengthens both technical health and user trust.
When and why you should use a link tester
Link testing is not a one-time task or a minor technical detail. It is a foundational practice that supports user experience, search visibility and long-term website reliability. By learning how to test a link, interpret results and run a broken link test regularly, you reduce friction for users and make your site easier for search engines to understand and trust.
A link tester helps turn link maintenance from a reactive chore into a proactive system. Manual checks can be useful for quick validation, but a website link tester makes it possible to monitor links at scale, identify patterns and prevent recurring issues. As websites grow and change, consistent link testing becomes increasingly important.
Frequently asked questions about link testers
What does a link tester do
A link tester checks whether links lead to their intended destinations and whether they return correct responses. It helps identify broken links, redirects and other issues that affect usability and SEO.
How do I test a link
You can test a link manually by clicking it in a browser or using developer tools to view responses. For larger sites, a website link tester automates this process and provides detailed reports.
What is a broken link test
A broken link test is a scan that identifies links that no longer work or return errors. It helps site owners fix issues before they affect users or search engines.
How often should I run a broken link test
The ideal frequency depends on site size and activity. Many sites benefit from regular testing, especially after content updates or structural changes.
Can I test this link without scanning my whole site
Yes. Many tools and methods allow you to test this link individually without running a full site crawl.
Are broken links bad for SEO
Broken links can harm SEO by disrupting crawl paths and weakening internal linking. Occasional issues are normal, but patterns of broken links should be addressed.
By Sean Pasemko
SEO & Growth Marketing Specialist
Sean Pasemko is an SEO and growth marketer at urllo, where he works closely with SEO, IT and WebOps teams on redirect management, domain changes and site migrations.
His writing draws on practical experience analyzing redirect behavior, crawl efficiency and long-term site maintenance to help teams avoid common routing and performance issues.
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