Link rot refers to the gradual process where hyperlinks on a website stop working over time. This happens when the content or webpage that the link points to is no longer available. Clicking on these broken links typically leads to error pages, such as “404 Not Found.”
Why Does Link Rot Happen?
There are several common reasons why link rot occurs:
- Pages are deleted: The linked content is removed from the website.
- URLs change: Website URLs are updated or restructured without proper redirects.
- Websites shut down: Linked domains may expire or be taken offline permanently.
- Files are moved: Linked content may be relocated to a different folder or directory without updating the links.
- Temporary issues: Websites hosting the linked content may experience downtime.
Why is Link Rot a Problem?
Link rot creates problems for both website owners and visitors:
- Poor user experience: Broken links can frustrate users who are unable to access the information they expected.
- Decreased credibility: A site with many broken links may appear unprofessional or outdated.
- Impact on SEO: Search engines may lower a website’s ranking if it has too many broken links, as they signal poor maintenance.
How to Prevent or Fix Link Rot
There are steps you can take to address and minimize link rot:
- Regularly check links: Use tools to identify broken links on your site.
- Set up redirects: Ensure that pages moved to new URLs have proper redirects in place.
- Avoid linking to unstable sources: Link to reliable and well-maintained websites.
- Use internal linking wisely: Keep your internal links updated whenever you make changes to your site structure.
- Monitor external links: Periodically review links to external sites and replace them if the content is no longer available.