Broken link checker
Updated Markdown version
What it checks
The tool fetches your page, takes the first 100 links on it, and requests each one (a HEAD request first, falling back to GET when a server rejects it). Six links are tested at a time with a short timeout, and redirects are followed.
How to read the status codes
| Result | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 2xx OK | The link works. | Nothing. |
| 3xx redirect | It works but moved. We show the final status. | Update the link to the final URL when convenient. |
| 404 / 410 | The page is gone. | Replace or remove the link. |
| 401 / 403 / 429 | The server refused an automated request. The link may work in a browser. | Open it manually before deciding. |
| 5xx | The target server failed. | Retry later; remove if it persists. |
| timeout / unreachable | No answer in time, or the domain does not resolve. | Likely dead; confirm in a browser. |
Why broken links matter
Dead outbound links make a page look unmaintained, waste crawl budget, and frustrate readers. For link builders, a broken link is also an opportunity: if a page links to a dead resource, you can offer a working replacement.
Next step: submit to free directories today
A clean page earns more from backlinks. These 5 directories were free with no account needed in LinkPing's 2026-10-20 snapshot, and the full free list has the rest.
- scamadviser.com (DR 81)
- Active Search Results Search Engine (DR 74)
- Viesearch (DR 72)
- Website Launches (DR 71)
- ExactSeek (DR 70)
FAQ
How many links does the free check test?
Up to 100 links from one page per check. Duplicates are tested once.
Why is a working link reported as 403 or 429?
Some sites block automated requests. Those results are marked "blocked by the server" rather than broken, so check them in a browser.
Does it check images and scripts?
No, only <a href> links.
Does it crawl my whole site?
No. It checks the links on the one page you enter. Run it on each important page, or use a site-wide crawler for large sites.
Is the check safe to run on any site?
It makes at most 100 light requests, six at a time, and identifies itself as LinkPing. Only public http and https addresses are tested.