🔗 Broken Link Building: A Smart Way to Get Quality Backlinks

If you’re trying to grow your blog or website, you’ve probably heard people say “get backlinks!” But what if I told you there’s a clever way to get high-quality backlinks without begging or paying?

It’s called broken link building — and yes, it actually works.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what broken link building is, why it’s effective, and how you can start using it — even if you’re brand new to SEO.

🧠 What Is Broken Link Building?

Let’s say you’re reading a blog and click on a link that goes… nowhere.

It’s broken. The page no longer exists.

Broken link building is about finding those broken links on other people’s websites and offering them a replacement: your content.

Here’s how it works:

1. You find a website with a broken link.

2. You create (or already have) content that covers that topic.

3. You contact the website owner and suggest replacing the broken link with your link.

It’s a win-win. They fix their broken link, and you get a backlink to your site.

❓ Why Do Broken Links Matter?

Google cares about user experience.

If a page is full of dead links, it looks outdated and untrustworthy.

Site owners hate broken links — but they often don’t know they exist.

So when you point one out and offer a helpful replacement, you’re actually doing them a favor.

That’s why this method works so well.

👶 Is This Too Advanced for Beginners?

Not at all. If you can:

• Use Google,
• Send a simple email, and
• Write helpful content,

…then you can do broken link building.

It just takes a bit of patience and some research.

🔍 How to Start Broken Link Building (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a simple way to get started:

Step 1: Pick a Topic You Cover

Think about something you’ve already written about or want to write about.

Let’s say it’s “email marketing tips.”

Step 2: Search for Dead Links

Use Google with this search:

“email marketing” + “resources” + inurl:links

You’ll get pages listing marketing resources.

Then use a free Chrome extension like Check My Links to scan the page for broken links (it’ll highlight them in red).

Step 3: Create or Use Relevant Content

If you already have content that matches the dead link topic, great.

If not, this is your chance to create a better, updated version.

Step 4: Reach Out

Email the site owner.

Keep it short and helpful:

• > “Hey [Name], I found a broken link on your [page title] page.
• It points to a page that no longer exists.
• I actually have a post that covers this topic — feel free to use it as a replacement!”

🔧 Best Tools to Use (Free & Easy)

• Check My Links (Chrome extension)
• Broken Link Checker by Ahrefs or Semrush (if you have access)
• Google Search operators (like the example above)
• Hunter.io (to find email addresses)

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending spammy emails – Be helpful and polite, not pushy.
• Suggesting unrelated content – Make sure your content truly fits the topic.
• Not checking your own links – Practice what you preach.
• Keep your site healthy too!

🎯 Why This Strategy Still Works in 2025

With Google focusing more on site quality, broken link building is more powerful than ever.

It’s not a trick — it’s a smart way to add value and earn backlinks honestly.

💡 Want More Help?

check out these helpful guides:

👉 How to Get Started with Affiliate Marketing in 2025

👉 Top Affiliate Programs for Beginners in 2025: How to Choose and Succeed

👉 Internal Linking Made Simple: The Easy Way to Boost Your Blog SEO

👉 On-Page SEO vs Technical SEO: What’s the Difference & Why It Matters

They’ll give you a strong foundation while you build your site’s authority with backlink strategies like this one.

Final Thoughts

Broken link building is one of the easiest and most ethical ways to grow your backlinks — especially if you’re just starting out.

You’re helping others, improving the web, and getting rewarded with links.

Start small, stay consistent, and watch your traffic grow.