best free wordpress plugins to find broken links and images

    Why Finding Broken Links And Images Matters For Your WordPress Site

    When I first started my WordPress blog, I thought publishing new posts was enough. I did not realize that over time, some links would break, or images would magically disappear. This not only hurt my credibility but also annoyed visitors and silently damaged my SEO rankings. Google does not exactly send you a love letter when it finds too many broken links on your site. Instead, it quietly drops your ranking. Ouch.

    Imagine spending hours crafting the perfect blog post only to have your visitors stumble on dead links. It is like inviting guests to a party and locking the door. Not ideal. That is why finding and fixing broken links and images became one of my regular maintenance tasks.

    Top Free WordPress Plugins To Detect Broken Links And Images

    After experimenting with several options (and nearly pulling my hair out), I found a few free plugins that made this tedious job almost effortless. Here are the best ones that I personally used and recommend:

    Broken Link Checker

    Broken Link Checker is like having a personal detective for your website. Once installed, it automatically scans your posts, pages, and even comments for broken links and missing images. What I loved most is that it sends you notifications directly to your WordPress dashboard or email.

    Features include:

    • Real-time monitoring of links and images
    • Ability to edit links directly from the plugin interface
    • Customizable checking intervals to manage server load

    One time, it found over 50 broken links on my blog. Without it, I would have been blissfully unaware while my SEO sank like a stone.

    WP Broken Link Status Checker

    Another gem I found is WP Broken Link Status Checker. It is simple yet powerful. Unlike Broken Link Checker, this plugin allows you to run manual scans, which is perfect if you have a massive site and want to control when scans happen.

    What stands out:

    • Fast and detailed scanning reports
    • Option to scan external links
    • Lightweight and does not slow down your site

    I once used it on a client project where their 2000+ posts were riddled with dead Amazon affiliate links. Thanks to this tool, I cleaned up the mess in just a few days and helped the client recover their lost commissions.

    Ahrefs Broken Link Checker (Free Online Tool)

    Okay, so this is not exactly a WordPress plugin, but it is a fantastic free tool. Ahrefs offers a broken link checker that you can use by simply entering your website URL. It is ideal if you want a quick external scan without installing anything on your WordPress site.

    Advantages:

    • No plugin installation needed
    • Scans backlinks and internal links
    • Gives you a clear list of issues to fix

    I personally use Ahrefs once a month just to double-check my internal tools and make sure I am not missing anything obvious. Call me paranoid, but better safe than sorry.

    Case Study How Fixing Broken Links Boosted My SEO

    Let me share a little story from my own experience. About six months ago, I noticed a steady decline in my organic traffic. I panicked. After a deep dive, I discovered that dozens of posts contained broken outbound links and missing images, especially in old blog entries from 2018 and 2019.

    I spent a weekend fixing everything using Broken Link Checker and a lot of coffee. Within a month, I noticed a 20 percent increase in organic traffic. Google rewarded my efforts, and so did my readers, who spent more time on my site and shared my content more often.

    It was a lightbulb moment: maintaining the health of your website is just as important as creating new content.

    Tips To Keep Your WordPress Site Free Of Broken Links And Images

    While plugins are amazing, they are not a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Here are some tips based on my experience to keep your site clean:

    • Schedule regular scans every month
    • Update or remove outdated content that contains broken resources
    • Use internal linking wisely and double-check links before publishing
    • Optimize your media library to avoid missing images

    I also recommend creating a small checklist for yourself or your team. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way in keeping your site SEO-friendly and user-focused.

    Conclusion Keeping Your WordPress Site Healthy Is A Must

    In the end, broken links and missing images are like termites slowly eating away at your website's foundation. Ignoring them can lead to poor SEO, bad user experiences, and lost revenue opportunities. The good news is that with the right free tools like Broken Link Checker, WP Broken Link Status Checker, and Ahrefs Broken Link Checker, you can stay on top of your site's health without pulling your hair out.

    From personal experience, I can say that regular maintenance is much easier than trying to fix years of neglect all at once. Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking action today. And who knows, maybe Google will too, in the form of better rankings and more traffic.

    Now, go give your website a checkup. It deserves it. And so do your readers.