External links are the links from your website to other websites. Many site owners never look at them after publishing. Over the years those links break, redirect to spam or point to competitors after a domain changes hands. I once found a client's blog linking to an expired domain that had turned into a gambling site. Checking outbound links regularly protects your reputation.
Why external links matter
Linking to trusted sources makes your content more helpful and credible. It shows readers and Google that your claims are backed by evidence. But external links also reflect on you. Broken links frustrate readers and links to low quality or unsafe sites can hurt trust.
What our checker shows
The External Link Checker scans a page and gives you:
- Every outbound link with anchor text
- Status code for each link so broken and redirected links stand out
- Follow or nofollow type
- A list of linked domains with the number of links to each
How to use it
- Open the External Link Checker.
- Enter the page URL.
- Click Check External Links.
- Fix broken links and review the domain list for anything unexpected.
External linking best practices
- Link to authoritative sources such as official sites, research and trusted publications.
- Use descriptive anchor text that tells readers where they will go.
- Add rel sponsored to paid or affiliate links, as Google requires.
- Use rel nofollow or ugc for user generated links like comments.
- Do not overdo it. A few strong references are better than dozens of random links.
- Open in the same tab or new tab based on your audience, but be consistent.
Check the attributes on all your links with the Nofollow Link Checker.
Watch the domain list
The domain list is the quickest way to spot problems. If you see domains you do not recognise, open them. They may come from an old widget, a hacked plugin or an expired partner site. Remove anything suspicious immediately.
Do external links help SEO
Linking out does not directly boost your ranking, but it improves content quality and user trust, which matter a lot. Pages that cite good sources often perform better because readers find them more useful. There is no need to fear linking out.
Keep affiliate links healthy
If you earn from affiliate links, broken ones cost you money every day. Product pages get removed, campaigns end and short links expire. Check your best performing affiliate articles every month and replace dead links with current products. Mark them with rel sponsored to stay within Google guidelines.
How to choose good sources
When you add an outbound link, ask whether a careful reader would trust that source. Official websites, government pages, manufacturer documentation, respected news outlets and well known industry blogs are usually safe choices. For local topics, link to official city or provincial pages when they exist. Avoid linking to pages full of ads, copied content or aggressive pop ups. Also prefer stable URLs, such as a main guide rather than a temporary campaign page that will disappear in a month. Good sources make your page more believable and reduce the number of broken links you will need to fix later.
Frequently asked questions
How many external links should a page have
There is no fixed number. Link whenever a source genuinely helps the reader understand or verify something.
Should I nofollow all external links
No. Normal editorial links to trusted sources can be followed. Use nofollow or sponsored only where appropriate.
Can I check a competitor's outbound links
Yes. It is a good way to discover the sources and partners they trust.
Audit your outbound links now with the free External Link Checker.