Most SEOs ignore broken links and that is a big mistake. Behind every 404 error is a ranking opportunity waiting to be claimed – if you know how to find it and capitalize fast.
Broken link building isn’t just some dusty, outdated tactic. It’s one of the most scalable, white-hat, and cost-effective link building strategies in 2025.
It leverages existing demand, dead content, and real editorial needs. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to do it effectively.
No theory. No recycled advice. Just battle-tested tactics that work-backed by tools, data, and results.
Key Takeaways
- Broken link building targets existing editorial gaps by replacing dead links with your relevant content.
- Personalized, concise outreach emails dramatically increase reply rates.
- SaaS and B2B industries benefit most from broken link building
- Using the right tools (Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Hunter.io, BuzzStream) streamlines finding opportunities and managing outreach at scale.
What is Broken Link Building?
Broken link building is the process of finding dead pages with backlinks and replacing them with your own content.
It works in 2025 because the web is constantly decaying, but demand for valuable content never stops.
A recent study by SearchEngineLand claims that broken link building remains one of the best ways to get links that push you to top 10 positions
Why This Strategy Still Delivers in 2025
Here’s why broken link building hasn’t died:
- The web is always breaking. Every day, domains expire, sites restructure, or pages get deleted. That leaves thousands of orphaned backlinks behind.
- Editors hate broken links. It kills UX and hurts their SEO. You’re solving a problem for them.
- It’s white-hat. You’re not manipulating PageRank-you’re adding value.
- No new content needed (if you’re smart). Repurpose, improve, or reuse your best posts.
The Numbers Back it Up
According to Harvard Law Review, and Search Central broken links happen quite often and they cause a lot of harm. Knowing this you can be smart and jump on the opportunity.
Stat | Source | Insight |
30% of web links rot within 2 years | Harvard Law Review | Constant opportunity for new links |
Broken links hurt user experience & rankings | Google Search Central | Editors have a reason to fix them |
Outreach for broken links has a 15–25% reply rate | BuzzStream | Higher than cold guest posting |
Why Broken Link Building Fails?
Most people fail at broken link building because they treat it like a numbers game, send generic emails, and chase the wrong links.
To win in 2025, you need sniper-level precision-not spam. Tim Soulo of Ahrefs states that broken link building replaces dead ends with relevant content.
That is for sure poised to help both, the hosting site, and you, the content provider.
The 3 Biggest Reasons SEOs Fail at Broken Link Building
Let’s break down what most people do wrong:
- They target low-value pages – Linking domains might look good, but if the referring sites are irrelevant or weak, you’re wasting time.
- Their outreach is generic – “Hey, your link is broken. Here’s mine.”
Yawn. That’s delete-folder material. Editors see 100 of these a week. - They don’t match intent – You can’t pitch a blog post on keto recipes to replace a dead link about cardiovascular research.
How To Fix It and Actually Get Links
Use this simple system instead:
Filter by domain relevance and DR. Only chase sites that live in your industry’s backyard. Irrelevant links are worthless. High Domain Rating is your quality filter; don’t waste time pitching low-authority pages.
Personalize with context. Don’t send copy-paste garbage but mention their article, call out specifics, and prove you’re not a robot. People help people, not faceless emails.
Match the dead content 1:1. Your replacement link has to slot in like a missing puzzle piece meaning same topic, same vibe. If it feels forced, you’ll lose the pitch and look like a spammer.
Example Outreach Message
Subject: Quick heads up about a dead link on your site
Hi [Name],
I was reading your article on [Topic] and noticed one of the sources is no longer live (it’s returning a 404).
Since it covered [specific point], I thought this might be a solid replacement: [Your Link Title] – it covers the same ground, with fresh stats.
Thought it might help your readers.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
This type of outreach can get you mentions from authoritative sources without having to use mass outreach and expensive platforms.
How To Find Broken Link Opportunities at Scale
Use a combination of Ahrefs, SEO Minion, and site operators to uncover hundreds of broken links in minutes. Scale starts with smart targeting – not brute force.
Step 1: Find Competitor Pages With Backlinks
Use Ahrefs → Best by Links report:
- Filter for 404 pages
- Sort by “Referring Domains”
- You now have a list of dead pages your competitors used to rank with
Step 2: Scrape External Links on Niche Blogs
Use SEO Minion or Screaming Frog
- Crawl niche blog posts
- Extract external outbound links
- Filter for broken (404) links
Step 3: Run Site Operators in Google
Use this search formula:
site:edu OR site:gov “resources” + [your keyword]
- Visit each page manually
- Use Check My Links (Chrome Extension)
- Identify broken links on .edu or .gov sites
Step 4: Use Expired Domain Tools
Try tools like BrokenLinkCheck.com, DeadLinkChecker, or Domain Hunter Plus
- Export reports
- Prioritize based on DR + link context
Bonus: Use Footprint Shortcuts
Footprint shortcuts are very useful for finding list-style posts, pages with broken references, and .edu sites with resource pages.
Footprint | Use Case |
“top tools for [keyword]” + “resources” | Finds list-style posts |
“useful links” + “404” | Finds pages with broken references |
“site:.edu” + “external links” | Gets high-authority .edu resource pages |
How To Write Outreach Emails That Actually Get Replies
Keep it short. Make it useful. Personalize the context. Skip templates that scream “AI” or “cold pitch.” You’re not begging – you’re solving a problem.
The Psychology Behind High-Conversion Outreach
People ignore emails that feel transactional. They engage with emails that feel helpful. That means relevance matters more than flattery, so instead of praising someone’s blog, focus on adding genuine value to it.
Personalization should always take priority over automation by mentioning something specific about the article or page you’re referencing. Above all, clarity is more effective than cleverness; get to the point quickly rather than relying on witty or overly complex messages.
Anatomy of a Killer Broken Link Outreach Email
Use this 6-part framework:
Part | Purpose | Example |
Subject Line | Hook with clarity | “Broken link on your [Topic] post” |
Opener | Establish context | “I was reading your guide on [Topic]…” |
Problem | Show what’s broken | “I found a dead link: [URL]” |
Solution | Offer value | “Here’s an updated, relevant alternative…” |
CTA | Low pressure ask | “Feel free to update it if helpful.” |
Sign-off | Human, not hype | “Appreciate your time, [Your Name]” |
Example: Real Outreach Template
Subject: Dead link fix for your [Topic] article
Hey [First Name],
I found a dead link on your [Post Title] page – the one that used to point to [Old Resource].
I created something that covers the same topic with fresh data and visuals: [Your Link Title]. Might be a helpful replacement for your readers.
Let me know what you think – either way, thanks for the great content.
Best,
[Your Name]
Let’s address the elephant in the room – do broken links help with SEO in 2025?
Spoiler: Yes, if you know what Google really cares about.
Do Broken Links Still Matter for SEO in 2025?
Yes – but not for the reason most think. Broken links matter because they signal content decay, hurt UX, and present value gaps that SEOs can fill to earn contextual backlinks.
Why Google Cares About Broken Links
Let’s get something clear:
Google doesn’t rank pages just because they replace a dead one. But when you provide better, updated, high-quality content to fix a broken link, you create value and earn a backlink naturally.
That’s the win. Here’s what broken links signal in 2025:
- Dead content = dead value
- Poor UX = lower trust
- 404 chains = authority leaks
When you replace that with content that’s relevant, informative, and timely, Google sees:
- A fresh content signal
- A contextual backlink
- Improved site structure for the referring domain
And that’s SEO juice.
Data That Proves It Works
By running hundreds of broken link campaigns and analyzing the data we have concluded the following stats:
Metric | Before | After Fixing |
Backlinks from DR60+ domains | 0 | +8 |
Organic traffic to page | 0 | 950/mo |
Outreach reply rate | ~6% | 23% (post-personalization) |
→ Source: Campaign data from real clients (internal benchmarks)
What Tools Should You Use for Broken Link Building?
Use a mix of backlink checkers, crawling tools, and outreach platforms. The right toolkit transforms broken link building from tedious to tactical.
Essential Tools to Streamline Your Broken Link Campaign
This tool stack is designed to make your life easier by automating a process or severely shortening the time it takes to reach the result.
Tool Name | Purpose | Why Use It? | Example |
Ahrefs | Find broken backlinks on competitor domains | Best-in-class backlink data and DR filters | Identify dead pages with high-value links |
Screaming Frog | Crawl websites to detect broken outbound links | Fast, comprehensive site crawling with export features | Scrape niche blogs for broken links |
Check My Links (Chrome Extension) | Quickly check link status on any page | Lightweight, immediate feedback | Scan .edu or resource pages in seconds |
BuzzStream | Manage outreach campaigns and track replies | Automates follow-ups and organizes contacts | Scale personalized email sequences |
Hunter.io | Find verified email addresses | Avoid generic contact forms and reach decision-makers | Increase outreach reply rates |
Pro Tip: Combine Tools for Maximum Efficiency
For example:
- Use Ahrefs to find competitor dead pages →
- Crawl those pages with Screaming Frog for broken outbound links →
- Export prospects and run emails through Hunter.io →
- Manage campaigns via BuzzStream for tracking
How To Turn Broken Links Into Backlinks (Step-by-Step)
Find the broken link, create or identify a matching replacement, then reach out with a personalized pitch. Follow up without being pushy.
The Exact Process in 5 Clear Steps
- Identify Broken Links – Use tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to find broken backlinks on relevant, high-authority sites.
- Create or Select Replacement Content – Make sure your content matches the original link’s topic and intent. It should be fresh, valuable, and more comprehensive.
- Research the Link Owner – Find the right person to contact – usually the content manager or editor. Use Hunter.io or LinkedIn to verify contact details.
- Craft a Personalized Outreach Email – Use the proven template from earlier: highlight the broken link, offer your replacement, and keep it concise.
- Follow Up – Send a polite reminder if you don’t get a reply after 5–7 days. Persistence pays off, but don’t spam.
Bonus: Track Everything for Optimization
Knowing what to track is as important as the work itself. There are a few metrics that matter most when it comes to links and you need to keep an eye on these:
Metric | What to Track | Why It Matters |
Response rate | Replies to your outreach emails | Measure personalization effectiveness |
Link acquisition | Number of backlinks gained | ROI of your broken link building efforts |
Domain authority | DR of linking sites | Quality over quantity focus |
Traffic impact | Organic visits to your pages | Validate content relevance and ranking power |
Why Broken Link Building Beats Guest Posting for SaaS & B2B
In SaaS and B2B, decision-makers crave authority and relevance. Broken link building taps into existing link equity and editorial needs, delivering higher ROI than guest posting’s hit-or-miss game.
The SaaS & B2B Link Landscape
Guest posting feels like shouting into the void. It requires:
- Creating brand-new content
- Gaining editorial approval
- Competing against dozens of pitches
Plus, SaaS and B2B niches have complex buying cycles and technical audiences who demand depth, not fluff.
Broken link building? It cuts through by:
- Leveraging existing demand for content
- Offering precisely matched, authoritative resources
- Fixing editorial headaches caused by dead links
Hard Data That Speaks Volumes
If you are to put these side by side, you will see why reaching out to replace a broken link is much better than just sending a guest post to an editor hoping it will be published.
Strategy | Average Link Quality | Time to Result | Outreach Reply Rate | Typical ROI |
Guest Posting | Medium (varies widely) | 3-6 months | 5-10% | Moderate |
Broken Link Building | High (existing link equity) | 1-3 months | 15-25% | High |
SaaS & B2B Examples
- SaaS company replaces broken links in product review blogs → gains backlinks from DR70+ sites within weeks
- B2B marketing firm leverages broken links on industry resource pages → boosts organic traffic by 40% in 90 days
How To Measure Success in Broken Link Building Campaigns
Track key metrics like referral traffic, backlink quality, and domain authority improvements to gauge impact. In SaaS and B2B, the focus is on authority and lead generation, not just link quantity.
Key Metrics to Monitor
- Backlink Quality and Quantity – Measure the number of new backlinks acquired and their Domain Rating (DR). Prioritize links from industry-relevant, authoritative sites over volume.
- Referral Traffic from Links – Monitor traffic coming from the pages that added your link. High-quality backlinks often bring qualified visitors who convert better.
- Keyword Rankings and Organic Traffic – Track target keywords and organic traffic growth for pages involved in broken link building. Ranking improvements validate content relevance and backlink value.
- Lead Generation & Conversions – For SaaS and B2B, link-building efforts should connect to increased demo requests, sign-ups, or inquiries. Use CRM and analytics tools to tie link-building to revenue.
Example Dashboard for Broken Link Campaigns
Metric | Baseline | After Campaign | Notes |
New Backlinks Acquired | 0 | 15 | All DR50+ |
Referral Traffic | 0 | 350 visits/mo | From resource pages |
Target Keyword Ranking | #45 | #12 | For “SaaS onboarding tools” |
Leads Generated | 3/month | 12/month | Tracked via CRM |
Why Broken Link Building is a Long-Term Play That Pays Off
Broken link building compounds value by restoring lost link equity and building trust over time.
It’s not about quick wins, it’s about creating a durable foundation for SaaS and B2B SEO success.
The Long-Term SEO Benefits
- Link Equity Restoration: You reclaim authority lost through dead links on high-value sites, boosting your domain’s overall strength.
- Trust & Relevance: Regularly providing value by fixing broken content signals to search engines and users that your site is a dependable resource.
- Continuous Growth: Broken link opportunities never fully dry up. As websites age, new dead links appear-creating ongoing chances to build links without creating new content from scratch.
SaaS & B2B Context
In complex B2B sales cycles and SaaS industries, decision-makers rely heavily on credible resources.
Broken link building helps you become that trusted resource over time – supporting multiple touchpoints along the buyer’s journey.
Benefit | Impact in SaaS/B2B | Why It Matters |
Restored Authority | Higher domain trust | More visibility in competitive SERPs |
Improved User Experience | Reduced 404 errors | Lower bounce rates and higher engagement |
Steady Backlink Growth | Sustainable SEO traction | Long-term lead and revenue growth |
Conclusion
Broken link building is one of the smartest, highest-ROI tactics in modern SEO – especially for SaaS and B2B brands fighting for authority and visibility.
It’s tactical, scalable, and delivers lasting SEO power.
FAQ – Broken Link Building
What is broken link building?
Broken link building is the process of finding dead links on authoritative websites and offering your relevant content as a replacement to earn backlinks.
Why is broken link building effective?
It targets existing editorial needs-websites want to fix broken links, so offering a relevant replacement is a win-win that earns quality backlinks.
Can broken link building work for SaaS and B2B?
Absolutely. These industries benefit because decision-makers value authoritative, relevant resources, making outreach more successful.
How do I find broken link opportunities?
Use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Check My Links to identify broken outbound links on niche sites and competitor domains.
What makes outreach emails effective for broken link building?
Personalization, clarity, and providing a useful solution without aggressive sales tactics increase reply rates.
How long does it take to see results?
Most campaigns start showing link acquisition and traffic improvements within 1-3 months.
Is broken link building scalable?
Yes, with the right tools and processes, you can scale outreach while maintaining personalization, especially in SaaS and B2B niches.
How does broken link building compare to guest posting?
Broken link building often yields higher-quality backlinks faster by fixing existing content issues rather than creating entirely new content.