Sometimes another site links to your page from a broken backlink. Although the link still exists on the referring website, when users or search engines follow it, they hit a wall. This is because a page on your website doesn’t exist anymore, or has been permanently moved.
In such a case, you should reach out to the website owner and provide the correct URL. Many webmasters welcome the notice since it improves their user experience.
First, Identify the Right Contact
Before you send anything, find the correct person to reach out to.
- Look for a “Contact” or “About” page on the referring website.
- If it’s a blog, reach out to the editor or author.
- For companies, look for webmaster, content manager, or marketing contact info.
- If you can’t find a direct email, tools like Hunter.io or LinkedIn can help.
Getting your message to the right person increases your odds of success dramatically.
Write a Short, Polite, and Helpful Email
Keep it friendly, short, and clear. You’re not demanding a fix—you’re helping them improve their content while gently guiding them toward updating the link.
Here’s a simple template you can adapt:
Sample Email Template
Subject: Broken Link on [Their Page Title or URL]
Hi [Name],
I was reading your article “[Article Title]” and noticed that one of your links to my site ([old URL]) seems to be broken. The page was recently moved, and it now lives here: [new working URL].
I thought you might want to update it so your readers don’t run into a dead link.
Thanks so much for featuring my content—I really appreciate it.
If you ever need updated resources on [topic], I’d be happy to share some.Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website or Brand]
Follow Up (Politely)
If you don’t hear back after a week or two, send a brief, polite follow-up—something like:
Hi [Name],
Just checking in on the broken link I mentioned earlier.
Totally understand if you’re busy—just wanted to make sure you saw it.
That’s it. Don’t spam them. One reminder is enough.
Track Your Outreach
Keep a small spreadsheet to note:
- The referring website
- The page that includes the broken link
- The contact person
- Date you reached out and follow-up date
- Whether the link was updated
This helps you stay organized, especially if you’re doing outreach across multiple sites.
Be Helpful, Not Pushy
Your tone should feel collaborative: you’re helping them maintain a quality resource. Even if they don’t update the link right away, you’ve opened a professional connection that could lead to future collaboration.
Conclusion
The purpose of asking a referring site to updater a broken link isn’t just gaining SEO points but also building a professional relationship.
Keep it brief, respectful, and human. A few well-written messages can recover valuable backlinks, improve your site’s authority, and build lasting relationships across your niche.
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