Reasons For Broken Links

Broken links can occur for various reasons, and it’s essential for website owners to understand these reasons to prevent and address them effectively. Here are common reasons for broken links:

1. Content Removal or Deletion:
   • If a webpage or resource is removed or deleted, any links pointing to that content become broken.
2. URL Changes:
   • Changes in URL structure or permalink settings can result in broken links if the links are not updated accordingly.
3. Typographical Errors:
   • Simple typographical mistakes in URLs, such as misspellings or incorrect path specifications, can lead to broken links.
4. Server Issues:
   • Temporary or permanent server issues, such as server downtime or misconfigurations, can render a webpage or resource inaccessible, causing broken links.
5. Expired Domain:
   • If a website changes its domain or the domain expires, links pointing to the old domain become broken.
6. Linking to External Resources:
   • If a website links to external resources (on other websites), and those resources are moved, deleted, or no longer accessible, the links become broken.
7. Incorrectly Formatted Links:
   • Links that are incorrectly formatted, missing essential components (e.g., http:// or https://), can lead to broken links.
8. Case Sensitivity:
   • Some web servers are case-sensitive, and if the case of a URL is not correctly specified, it can result in broken links.
9. Changes in Website Structure:
   • If there are changes in the structure of a website (e.g., changes in folder organization), links may become broken if not updated.
10. Image or File Deletion:
    • If an image or file linked on a webpage is deleted, the link becomes broken, and users may see a missing image icon or encounter issues with file downloads.

Broken link, also known as a dead link or a dangling link, refers to a hyperlink that points to a webpage, resource, or file that no longer exists or is unreachable. In other words, when you click on a broken link, you will encounter an error message or a “404 Not Found” page instead of being directed to the intended content.