How to Fix Broken Links and Set Up 301 Redirects Correctly
A broken link sends visitors to an error page, and a messy redirect setup slows pages and dilutes signals. Both are quick to fix once you can see them.
Step 1: Find broken links
Scan key pages with the Broken Link Checker. It reports 404s, timeouts and redirects. Also review Indexing → Pages in Search Console for "Not found (404)" URLs.
Step 2: Choose the right fix
| Situation | Best action |
|---|---|
| Page moved to a new URL | 301 redirect to the new URL |
| Page removed, close replacement exists | 301 to the most relevant page |
| Page removed, nothing relevant | Leave as 404 or return 410 |
| Typo in an internal link | Fix the link itself |
| Dead external link | Update, replace or remove it |
Do not redirect everything to the homepage. Google may treat irrelevant redirects as soft 404s.
301 vs 302 redirects
Use a 301 for permanent moves and a 302 only when the change is genuinely temporary, such as a short maintenance page.
Step 3: Remove redirect chains
A chain happens when A redirects to B, which redirects to C. Point A straight at C. Test any URL with the Redirect Checker to see every hop and status code.
Step 4: Keep the site clean
- Update internal links to point at final URLs.
- Keep only live, canonical URLs in your sitemap (check with the Sitemap Validator).
- Re-scan monthly and after any redesign or migration.
For the full picture, follow the free SEO audit checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do 404 errors hurt SEO?
A few 404s are normal and do not harm a site. Problems arise when important pages or pages with backlinks return 404, or when internal links point to dead URLs.
What is the difference between 301 and 302?
A 301 is a permanent redirect and a 302 is temporary. Use 301 when a page has moved for good.
How many redirects are too many?
Aim for one hop. Long chains slow users and crawlers, and Google may stop following very long chains.