How to Fix Crawl Errors and Broken Links
It’s often said that a website is only as strong as its user experience and SEO performance. Both of these factors depend heavily on well-functioning links and a crawl-friendly site structure.
When search engine bots (crawlers) and your website visitors encounter problems—like broken links or pages that refuse to load—it hurts your website’s credibility. It also affects how well your website ranks in search engine results.
That’s where fixing crawl errors and broken links becomes crucial. By ensuring that search engines can reach and index your content, and that visitors aren’t hitting dead ends, you’re already positioning your website for success. In this blog post, we’ll explain what these errors are, why they occur, and, most importantly, how to fix them.
Definition & Explanation
A crawl error is any issue preventing a search engine bot from accessing your site’s pages. Search engine bots regularly scan websites to index content, but if they encounter errors, that content might remain invisible in search results.
Key Term – Crawlability
Crawlability refers to how easily a search engine can explore and understand your website. If your site structure is complicated or pages are blocked by errors, critical content may never be discovered or indexed.
Key Term – Indexing
Indexing is the process by which search engines add your web pages to their database. Pages that are crawlable and contain valuable information typically get indexed. If crawlers encounter errors, fewer pages end up being recognized by search engines.
Broken Links
Broken links, sometimes called “dead links,” point to non-existent pages. When a user clicks a broken link, they land on an error page (commonly a 404 Not Found), rather than the intended content.
Why Broken Links Happen
Broken links can occur because of simple typos, outdated URLs, content that has been removed, or changes in URL structures that weren’t updated across the site. External links can also break if the target site removes or relocates the linked page.
Why They Matter
Both crawl errors and broken links have a negative impact on user experience and SEO. Visitors who land on error pages often lose trust and leave. Search engines also view a site riddled with errors as poorly maintained, which can push it down in rankings.
Types & Causes
When diagnosing issues with your site, it helps to know the different kinds of crawl errors and broken links. Below are the most common categories and their typical causes.
Crawl Errors
Below are some major categories of crawl errors:
- Site Errors
This refers to issues preventing crawlers from accessing your entire website. They can include server connectivity failures or DNS errors.
- URL Errors
These occur on specific pages. Common URL errors include 404 Not Found, soft 404s, 5xx server errors, robots.txt blocks, and redirect loops.
Broken Links
Common causes of broken links include:
- Typos
A small spelling mistake can break a link. Even an extra dash or missing character can lead to a dead end.
- Outdated URLs
When page URLs change without proper redirects, any existing links pointing to the old URLs become broken.
- Content Removal
If a page or resource is deleted without a redirect, any link leading to it will fail.
- External Link Changes
External sites can also move or remove pages, rendering your outbound links broken.
How to Find Issues
Detecting crawl errors and broken links is the first step to fixing them. Several tools and methods can help you pinpoint the exact pages or links that need attention.
Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) provides detailed information about how Google crawls your site. Check the Coverage report for errors like 404 or soft 404. Use the URL Inspection Tool to see issues specific to individual pages.
Site Audit Tools
SEO suites like SEMrush, Ahrefs or desktop crawlers like Screaming Frog can scan your site in a manner similar to search engines. They’ll list broken links and crawl errors, and often suggest ways to fix them.
Broken Link Checkers
Online broken link checkers (e.g., BrokenLinkCheck.com) focus specifically on detecting dead links across your site. WordPress plugins like “Broken Link Checker” can automate this process.
Other Indicators
Server logs can reveal repeated 4xx or 5xx codes. Additionally, user feedback can alert you to broken links or pages that fail to load.
How to Fix the Issues
Once you’ve identified problematic pages or links, the next step is to apply the right fix. Not every error requires the same solution, so consider each specific cause before deciding what to do.
Fixing Crawl Errors
Below are common solutions for different types of crawl errors:
- 404 Errors
Set up a 301 redirect to a relevant page if the content still exists elsewhere. Otherwise, recreate the page or remove all internal references to it.
- Soft 404 Errors
Ensure genuinely missing pages return the correct 404 or 410 status code. If the page is valid, add enough content so search engines recognize it as legitimate.
- Server (5xx) Errors
Check your hosting resources and error logs to identify the cause. You may need to optimize code, upgrade your hosting, or fix plugin conflicts.
- DNS Errors
Verify that your DNS records are correctly configured. If the issue persists, contact your domain registrar or hosting provider.
- Robots.txt Errors
Make sure essential pages aren’t accidentally blocked. Use the robots.txt testing tool in Google Search Console to verify your configuration.
- Redirect Loops
Simplify redirect chains. If a page must redirect permanently, use a 301 redirect rather than a 302. Double-check plugins that might cause looping.
Fixing Broken Links
Broken links often overlap with some crawl errors but can also appear independently. Here’s how to address them:
- Update Internal Links
Correct any typos and replace outdated URLs. If you changed a page’s URL structure, make sure all internal links point to the new URL.
- Delete or Replace Defunct Links
If content no longer exists and there’s no good substitute, remove the link. Otherwise, find a suitable replacement or updated resource to link to.
- Set Up 301 and 302 Redirects
Use 301 redirects to point outdated or removed pages to the closest relevant content. This preserves any SEO value and helps users reach the right destination.
- Monitor External Links
Occasionally check outbound links to ensure they still work. If they’re broken, consider linking to a different, more current resource.
Tools, Plugins & Resources
While you can manually track and fix crawl errors, various tools can speed up the process. These platforms and plugins can streamline your workflow and offer in-depth insights.
- Website Crawlers
Screaming Frog SEO Spider and Netpeak Spider can crawl your site locally, generating detailed reports on errors, redirects, and much more.
- Render/Pre-Render Tools
Prerender.io is especially helpful for JavaScript-heavy sites where content is generated dynamically, ensuring crawlers see the fully rendered page.
- WordPress Plugins
The “Broken Link Checker” plugin identifies dead links, while “Redirection” simplifies the process of setting up 301 redirects.
Monitoring & Maintenance
Fixing crawl errors and broken links isn’t a one-time event. Your website’s structure and content change over time, and new issues can emerge if you aren’t vigilant.
- Regular Site Audits
Schedule monthly or quarterly audits with tools like Screaming Frog or Semrush to catch new errors quickly.
- Monitor Server Health
Frequent downtime or slow responses can lead to crawl errors. Ensure your hosting provider is reliable and that you’ve allocated enough resources.
- Check Redirects
Redirects set up months ago may become outdated if target pages have changed. Verify them regularly.
- Update Internal & External Links
Whenever you publish new content, see if you can link from old pages. Also replace or remove broken outbound links.
- Keep Sitemaps Updated
Update your XML sitemap whenever you add or remove significant sections. Resubmit it to Google Search Console for quicker indexing.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even the most attentive site owners can run into pitfalls. Here are some frequent mistakes to watch out for when tackling crawl errors and broken links.
- Forgetting to Update Internal Links After URL Changes
This creates unnecessary redirect chains or leaves links pointing to nowhere. Always update internal links when you alter your URL structure.
- Using 302 Redirects for Permanent Changes
A 302 indicates a temporary redirect. For permanent moves or deletions, choose a 301 to retain search engine value.
- Overly Aggressive Robots.txt
If you mistakenly block important folders, search engines won’t crawl or index vital pages. Always verify your robots.txt.
- Neglecting Mobile and AMP Pages
Errors can appear on mobile or AMP versions even if the desktop site is fine. Check all versions to be sure.
- Ignoring Broken External Links
Dead external links still damage user trust. Even if you don’t control the external site, replace or remove any broken link.
- Failing to Confirm Fixes
After setting up redirects or editing links, click through to ensure they actually work. Use Google Search Console or another audit tool for confirmation.
FAQs
Below are some common questions related to crawl errors and broken links.
- What’s the difference between a 404 error and a soft 404?
A 404 error means the page genuinely doesn’t exist. A soft 404 is when a “missing” page returns a 200 status code, tricking search engines into thinking it’s a valid page.
- Will broken links always hurt my SEO?
While a few broken links won’t destroy your rankings, they do signal poor site maintenance. The more broken links you have, the worse it looks to both users and search engines.
- Can I let my CMS handle redirects automatically?
Some platforms offer automated redirects, but they aren’t perfect. It’s best to verify or manually set up 301 redirects for important pages.
- Do crawl errors always mean my website is broken?
Not necessarily. Crawl errors can also occur if a crawler visits during server downtime or a user types an incorrect URL. Look for repeated or persistent errors in your logs.
- How often should I check for broken links?
Smaller sites can perform monthly or quarterly checks. Larger, frequently updated sites may need weekly scans or even real-time monitoring plugins.
- What if inbound links to my site are broken?
If you know another site links incorrectly to your domain, reach out to the site owner for a fix. You can also set up a 301 redirect on your end if the content still exists under a new URL.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Crawl errors and broken links can feel overwhelming, but they’re manageable once you understand what to look for. A thorough site audit, followed by systematic fixes, goes a long way toward ensuring your pages are both user-friendly and search-engine-friendly.
Make it a habit to monitor your website’s health regularly. Keep redirects current, verify your internal and external links, and stay on top of server performance. In doing so, you’ll enhance user satisfaction and preserve—if not improve—your search engine rankings.
