Brian Dean Broken Link Audit

A structured process based on the Brian Dean broken link audit framework to find dead resource links and pitch replacement content.

6 time blocks, 60 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Run Prospect Site Search: 10 min
Search resource pages and link roundups in your industry
Scan Pages for Dead Links: 10 min
Use a link checker tool to highlight broken 404 targets
Match Existing Content: 10 min
Find an article on your site that answers the broken link topic
Refine Replacement Page: 15 min
Add missing details so your resource is a clear upgrade
Draft Personalised Email: 10 min
Notify the site owner of the broken link and offer your link
Log Prospect Tracker: 5 min
Record recipient details and follow up dates in a spreadsheet

About this routine

The Brian Dean broken link audit strategy focuses on adding value to webmasters before asking for anything in return. Instead of sending cold pitch emails, you search for broken 404 links on established resource pages. By pointing out these dead links, you help site owners fix their broken user experience.

Once a broken link is located, you match it to a relevant article on your own site. If needed, you quickly update your post to cover the exact details the original link provided. This ensures your suggestion feels like a natural replacement rather than an uninvited sales pitch.

The final phase involves drafting a short, polite email to the site owner. You notify them of the specific broken URL and suggest your page as a helpful alternative. Keeping a simple tracker ensures consistent follow ups without spamming.

Why this routine works

Earn high quality backlinks by solving existing 404 errors for webmasters
Build relationships with domain owners through helpful value first outreach
Improve your existing content by filling coverage gaps discovered during audits

FAQ

What is Brian Dean's broken link audit process?

It is an SEO strategy where you find broken links on industry resource pages and offer your matching content as a replacement.

How long does a broken link audit take?

A single session takes 60 minutes to find broken links, verify content matches, and send personalized outreach emails.

Sources

Backlinko: Broken Link Building Guide