By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 26, 2026 | 9 min read
Short answer: Broken link building means finding a dead link on another website, and politely suggesting your own page as a replacement. It works when your page really fits what the old link was about. It is slow, replies are not guaranteed, and it only works with a useful page and a short, honest email. Never offer a page that does not match.
In this guide
How broken link building works
Websites often link to pages that later disappear. That leaves a dead link (a 404 error) on their page, which is bad for readers. If you have a page that covers the same topic, you can tell the site owner about the broken link and suggest yours. You help them fix a problem, and they may choose to link to you.
It is a white-hat method because it helps the other site. It is not a trick. If you want the wider picture, read my guides on white-hat guest posting and digital PR for SEO.
Step-by-step process
- Have a page worth linking to. You need a strong, useful page on the topic. Without it, you have nothing to offer. A dead page’s topic should match one of yours.
- Find pages that link out. Look for resource pages, “best tools” lists, guides and link roundups in your niche. Search Google for terms like “[topic] resources” or “[topic] useful links”.
- Check them for dead links. Use a link checker browser extension, or a crawler such as Screaming Frog, which is free for up to 500 URLs. See my guide to SEO audit tools.
- Confirm the link is really broken. Open it. Make sure it gives a 404 error or a dead domain, and not a temporary problem.
- See what the dead page used to say. The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine may show the old content. This tells you if your page is a fair replacement.
- Match your page to the old topic. If it is close, go ahead. If not, consider writing a better page first. Do not push a weak match.
- Find the right person. Look for the site owner, editor or author on the About or Contact page.
- Send a short, polite email. Say where the broken link is, and offer your page as one option.
- Follow up once. A single reminder after about a week is fine. Then move on.
- Track your outreach. Keep a sheet of site, page, broken URL, contact, date sent and result.
If you want a professional to run outreach for you, see my link building service.
Email template
Subject: Broken link on your [PAGE TITLE] page
Hi [NAME],
I was reading your page “[PAGE TITLE]” and found a link that no longer works: [BROKEN URL] (under the section “[SECTION]”).
I wrote a guide on the same topic that may be a good replacement: [YOUR URL]. It covers [ONE SHORT REASON IT FITS].
Either way, I hope the note helps you fix the dead link.
Best,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR SITE]
Keep it short, use the person’s name and do not claim your page is “better”. Let them decide.
Common mistakes
- Offering an unrelated page. It wastes their time and hurts your name.
- Sending mass copy-paste emails. People spot them at once.
- Not checking the link. You may report a link that works.
- Asking for a link with a keyword-rich anchor. Let them choose how to link.
- Expecting every email to work. Many will not get a reply. It is a numbers game that needs patience.
- Ignoring link quality. See how to check whether a backlink is worth getting.
FAQ
Is broken link building white hat?
Yes, when you offer a truly relevant page and do not pressure anyone. It helps the other site fix a problem.
Does broken link building still work?
It can, but replies are never guaranteed and it takes time. Results depend on your page quality and your niche.
How many emails should I send?
There is no set number. Focus on well-matched sites, not volume.
What if the dead page has no replacement on my site?
Think about creating a new page that covers the topic well. Then you have something to offer.
Do I need a paid tool?
No. A browser extension, a free crawler and a simple spreadsheet are enough to start.
Want help earning links the right way? I do manual, white-hat outreach with no shortcuts and no ranking promises. See my link building and guest posting service.
About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.