Ahrefs Internal Broken Link Remediation

A structured 45 minute workflow for an Ahrefs broken link audit to locate broken internal links, prioritize source pages, and apply fixes.

5 time blocks, 45 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Run Site Audit Crawl Export: 10 min
Export all 4xx internal broken links from Ahrefs Site Audit
Filter and Prioritize Source Pages: 10 min
Sort spreadsheet by source URL organic traffic and link depth
Audit Destination URLs: 5 min
Check target destination URLs for 404 status codes or redirect loops
Implement Redirects or Link Updates: 15 min
Update source links in CMS or set up 301 redirects on server
Verify Fixed URLs in Ahrefs: 5 min
Run page URL check in Ahrefs to confirm all 4xx errors are clear

About this routine

Broken internal links create dead ends for site visitors and waste search engine crawl budget. Running an Ahrefs broken link audit helps website managers quickly isolate broken links within internal site architecture. Ahrefs reports every 4xx status code across linked assets, allowing teams to systematically resolve dead ends.

The process focuses exclusively on internal links, which are entirely within a site owner control. By prioritizing source pages with high organic traffic or strong incoming link authority, teams fix high impact issues first. Resolving these issues preserves internal link equity across key landing pages.

Executing this workflow on a monthly schedule keeps site architecture clean and prevents link decay as content gets moved or updated.

Why this routine works

Restores lost internal link equity across priority pages
Improves search crawler efficiency by eliminating 404 dead ends
Enhances user navigation and reduces bounce rates from broken links

FAQ

How do you find broken internal links in Ahrefs?

Open Site Audit in Ahrefs, navigate to the Links report, and check the Internal links tab for status codes in the 4xx range.

Why focus on internal broken links instead of external broken links?

Internal links are under your complete control. Fixing them immediately restores page authority flow and user experience across your site.

How often should an Ahrefs internal broken link audit be performed?

Running an audit monthly or after major content updates ensures link rot is caught before it impacts search rankings.

Sources

How to Find and Fix Broken Links, Ahrefs Blog
Site Audit Internal Links Report, Ahrefs Documentation