Web content changes or disappears over time. When a page you’ve linked to is moved or removed, that link becomes broken — a problem called link rot. Broken links damage SEO, frustrate readers, and make content seem out of date. They also reduce the web’s usefulness as a public resource. Fortunately, you can prevent most link rot automatically with free tools that archive and repair links.
Why link rot matters
– SEO and user experience: Broken links can hurt search rankings and annoy visitors. Search engines may interpret many dead links as a sign of a neglected site.
– Credibility: Dead links make content seem unreliable.
– The open web: Archiving pages preserves information for everyone and helps keep the web a reliable reference.
The Wayback Machine and WordPress
The Wayback Machine (Internet Archive) snapshots pages over time so they remain accessible. Using a WordPress plugin, you can automatically replace dead external links with archived versions from the Wayback Machine and proactively archive linked pages while they’re still live.
Step 1 — Install the Wayback Machine Link Fixer plugin
Install the free Internet Archive Wayback Machine Link Fixer plugin from WordPress.org. It scans links, replaces broken ones with archived copies, and includes an Auto Archiver to save external pages as you publish or update content.
Step 2 — Configure the plugin
After activation, run the setup wizard (Link Fixer » Settings).
– API keys (optional)
If you need to archive more than 4,000 links per day, create a free Archive.org account and get API keys from archive.org/account/s3.php. Most small and medium sites won’t reach the limit and can skip this.
– Link Fixer settings
Enable the Link Fixer and choose which post types to scan (Posts, Pages, etc.). Enable “Scan Existing Content” to check older posts (this can take time on large sites). Set “Action for Broken Links” to the default “Replace Link (No Notification)” to let the plugin automatically substitute archived URLs.
– Auto Archiver
Enable the Auto Archiver to automatically save external pages linked from selected post types whenever you publish or update posts. Optionally enable scheduled archiving to run at regular intervals. Finish the wizard to save settings.
Step 3 — Monitor and manage links
Use the Link Fixer menu in your WordPress admin to monitor activity:
– Dashboard: Recent Link Checks, Latest Links, and a Link Statistics Overview (totals, archived, broken links).
– Links page: detailed list of tracked links with URL, archive status, link health, checks, and last check date.
Regularly review these pages to catch any issues and manually fix links if needed.
Alternative: Broken Link Checker by AIOSEO
If you prefer to find and fix broken links manually, Broken Link Checker by AIOSEO scans your site (internal and external links) and lists broken links in the dashboard. You can edit URLs directly or remove links. The plugin schedules scans every 3 days.
Common questions
1. How do plugins identify broken links?
They scan links and check whether the target URL returns an error (like 404). If so, the link is marked broken.
2. What if no archive exists for a broken link?
If a page is already gone and never archived, the Wayback Link Fixer can’t restore an archived version. That’s why the Auto Archiver, which saves pages while they’re live, is valuable.
3. Can I manually check posts for link rot?
Yes. The Wayback Link Fixer lets you trigger manual scans for specific posts or pages from the dashboard.
4. How do I fix broken links?
Wayback Link Fixer can automatically replace broken links with archived versions. Alternatively, you can manually update the link to a current resource or remove it. See guides on finding and fixing broken links for detailed steps.
5. Are Wayback snapshots public?
Yes. Once archived, a URL is publicly accessible in the Wayback Machine.
6. Will the plugin slow down my site?
The Wayback Link Fixer runs checks as scheduled background tasks, minimizing impact on performance.
7. Does fixing broken links help SEO?
Yes. Fixing 404s and reducing broken links improves user experience and signals to search engines that your site is well-maintained.
8. How is Wayback Link Fixer different from Broken Link Checker?
Broken Link Checker finds broken links and requires manual fixes. Wayback Link Fixer not only finds but can automatically replace broken links with archived copies, preserving the original reference.
Additional resources
– How to add a link in WordPress
– How to find and fix broken links in WordPress (step-by-step)
– How to track outbound links in WordPress
– How to add nofollow links in WordPress
– How to open external links in a new window or tab
Keeping links healthy protects SEO, maintains credibility, and helps preserve the open web. Using the Wayback Machine Link Fixer plugin (or Broken Link Checker for manual maintenance) makes preventing and repairing link rot straightforward and efficient. If you use these tools, you help preserve content and make the web more reliable for everyone.
