Broken links annoy visitors and hurt a website’s ranking. When a link on a page no longer works, readers leave and search engines lower the page’s score. But there is a simple fix. Experienced SEO experts use a method called broken link building to turn those broken links into High Authority Backlink opportunities. This guide shows anyone how to find easy wins. It works for bloggers and SEO professionals who want better rankings without complicated tools.
What Is Broken Link Building?
Broken link building is a way to get free High Authority Backlinks. It happens when a link on a website is broken. Someone notices the broken link and suggests a new, working link to their own content. The website owner then replaces the broken link with the new one. That new link points to the blogger’s site. This gives the blogger a valuable High Authority Backlink.
This method is kind and easy. The website owner gets a working link, and the blogger gets a backlink. Everyone wins.
Why Broken Link Building Works
Many big websites have broken links. A study found that over 10% of links on average websites are broken. These broken links stay for months or even years. Why?
Website owners often do not know about broken links. Or they forget to fix them. This creates a golden chance for bloggers.
When a blogger finds a broken link and suggests a replacement, the website owner is happy. They like saving time. They also like helping improve their site. This makes them more likely to say “yes” to a High Authority Backlink.
Step 1: Pick the Right Websites
Not every website will give a High Authority Backlink. The goal is to find sites that:
Have good trust (called “high DA” or “high authority”).
Are in the same topic as the blogger’s content.
Get lots of visitors.
For example, a food blogger should look for cooking sites. A tech blogger should look for gadget sites.
How to find these sites:
Use Google searches. Type searches like:
"topic" + "resources"
"topic" + "links"
"topic" + "recommended sites"
Check the top 10 results. These sites usually have high traffic and trust.
Avoid sites that sell links. Only use sites that naturally share resources.
Step 2: Find Broken Links
Now that you have a list of good websites, it is time to find broken links on them.
Tools to Use
You do not need expensive tools. These free or cheap tools work well:
Check My Links (Chrome extension)
Install this extension. Then open the webpage. Click the extension icon. It shows all links on the page and flags broken ones.Screaming Frog (Free version for up to 500 URLs)
Enter the website address. Screaming Frog crawls the site and lists broken links.Link Checker (online tool)
Paste the webpage URL. The tool scans and reports broken links.
How to Search
For each website:
Open every main page. This includes the home page, blog, and resource pages.
Use one of the tools above to find broken links.
Write down every broken link you find.
Focus on pages with many links. Pages like “Useful Resources” or “Recommended Reading” often have broken links.
Step 3: Find Your Replacement Content
When you find a broken link, you need a replacement. The replacement must be better than the broken link. This is where the Skyscraper Technique helps.
The Skyscraper Technique Explained
The Skyscraper Technique is simple:
Find content that is old or outdated. This is the broken link’s target.
Create a new article that is better. It should be:
Newer
Longer
More useful
Better written
Use the same topic as the broken link.
For example:
If a broken link points to an old “Top 10 Soccer Shoes,” write a new article called “The 15 Best Soccer Shoes of 2024 (With Expert Reviews).”
Make your article detailed. Add charts, images, and real-life examples.
Tip: The new article must be on your own website. You cannot use a page from another site.
Step 4: Contact the Website Owner
Finding broken links and a great replacement is only half the job. Now you must tell the website owner.
What to Say in Your Email
Use a short, friendly email. Here is a simple template:
Subject: Broken link on your [page name] page
Hi [Name],
I was reading your article about [topic] on [Website Name].
I noticed a broken link to [broken URL]. It leads to a page that no longer exists.
I have a suggestion that might help. I wrote a newer, more complete guide on this topic:
[Your URL]
My guide includes updated information, images, and step-by-step tips. It could be a great replacement for the broken link.
Thanks for checking!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]
Important rules for your email:
Be polite. Do not demand a link.
Be clear. Point out exactly which link is broken.
Show the value. Explain why your content is better.
Include your link only once. Do not spam.
Step 5: Follow Up
If the website owner does not reply in 5 days, send a gentle follow-up email.
Subject: Re: Broken link on your [page name] page
Hi [Name],
Just checking if you saw my last email about the broken link.
I would love to help you fix it.
Thanks!
[Your Name]
Most owners reply after one or two follow-ups.
Where to Find Even More High Authority Backlink Opportunities
Broken link building gives great backlinks, but there are other easy ways too.
Try a Profile Creation Site List
Some websites let you create free profiles. These profiles often have a link back to your site. Use a good Profile Creation Site List to find safe, high-authority sites for profiles.
For a ready-made list of trusted profile sites, visit:
High DA Profile Creation Sites List
This list shows which sites to use and how to create useful profiles.
Use a High Authority Websites List
Another way to find link chances is to keep a list of high authority websites in your topic. When you create new, great content, you can pitch it to these sites.
You can download a free list of high authority websites here:
High Authority Websites List
This list includes sites that accept guest posts, interviews, and resource links.
Tips for Getting More High Authority Backlinks
Focus on quality, not quantity. One link from a top site helps more than ten links from weak sites.
Update old content. If you get a backlink to an old page, update that page first. Make it fresh and useful.
Track your links. Use free tools like Google Search Console. It shows when a site links to you.
Be patient. Some website owners take weeks to reply.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Spamming emails. Do not send the same email to many sites at once. This looks bad.
Using the same replacement link every time. Create a different, better article for each broken link.
Targeting low-authority sites. A link from a site with low trust does not help rankings. Always aim for High Authority Backlinks.
Ignoring the website owner. If they say “no,” thank them and move on. Do not argue.
Real Example: How One Blogger Got a High Authority Backlink
Sarah is a travel blogger. She used broken link building to get a link from a big travel site.
She picked a popular travel blog.
She used “Check My Links” and found a broken link on the “Best Europe Cities” page. The broken link pointed to an old hotel review.
She wrote a new, detailed guide: “20 Must-Visit Cities in Europe (2024 Guide).” She added photos, maps, and tips.
She emailed the travel blog owner.
“Hi Tom, I loved your Europe travel page. I noticed the link to ‘Best Hotels in Paris’ is broken. I made a new guide that includes the best hotels in Paris and other cities. You can see it here: [Sarah’s URL]. I hope this helps!”
Tom replied the same day. He replaced the broken link with Sarah’s guide. Sarah got a High Authority Backlink from a site with high trust. Her blog’s traffic jumped by 40% in one month.
Tools You Will Need
| Tool | What It Does | Cost |
| Check My Links | Find Broken Links | Free |
| Screaming Frog | Scan website for tech audit | Freemium |
| Google Search Console | Track Backlink & Site health | Free |
You can start with the free tools.
Summary
Broken link building is one of the easiest ways to get High Authority Backlinks. Follow these steps:
- Pick high-authority websites in your topic.
- Find broken links using a free tool.
- Create a better article using the Skyscraper Technique.
- Email the website owner with a polite, clear message.
- Follow up if you do not hear back.
Add links from a good Profile Creation Site List to get even more backlinks.
With patience and good content, anyone can earn valuable High Authority Backlinks and improve their website’s ranking.