Definition: Link rot

Link rot, also known as link decay, refers to the phenomenon of hyperlinks becoming broken or outdated over time. This can happen when a linked-to page is deleted, moved, or its URL changes, leading to a broken link on the linking page. Link rot is a common problem on the web, and it can have a negative impact on both user experience and search engine ranking. Broken links can result in a poor user experience, as users may encounter 404 error pages when trying to access linked content. They can also negatively affect a website’s search engine ranking, as search engines view broken links as a sign of a low-quality or outdated website. To mitigate the effects of link rot, it is important to regularly monitor and maintain the links on a website, fixing or replacing any broken links as needed.