Link Building
Broken Link Building
Broken link building is a tactic where you find dead links on other websites, create or identify a replacement resource on your site, and ask the webmaster to swap the broken link for yours.
Why Broken Link Building Matters for SEO
It works because you are solving a real problem for the site owner — nobody wants 404 errors on their pages. You get a quality backlink, they get a better user experience. It is a genuine win-win when the replacement content is actually good.
How Broken Link Building Works
Use tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to find broken outbound links on relevant sites. Check if you have (or can create) content that matches what the dead link originally pointed to. Then reach out to the site owner, flag the broken link, and suggest your page as a replacement.
Common Mistakes
- Suggesting replacement content that does not actually match the original resource
- Sending templated outreach emails that feel impersonal and spammy
- Spending too much time on low-authority sites with little ranking impact
Want to go deeper?
Read the full guide: Broken Link Building →
Sources & Further Reading: