How Often Should You Audit Your Site for Broken Links

Once a year is not enough for an active site. Here is a sensible schedule.

September 3, 2026 · 3 min read

Breakage never stops

Links break continuously as your content changes and the wider web shifts. A single annual audit leaves months of accumulated breakage unnoticed, which is plenty of time to lose value and trust.

Match the pace to your site

A large, frequently updated site deserves more frequent checks than a small, static one. The more you publish and edit, the more often links break, so the more often you should look.

Continuous beats periodic

The most reliable approach is continuous monitoring that alerts you when new links break, rather than a periodic scramble. Then you fix problems while they are small and few.

Always audit after big changes

Any migration, redesign, or large content change is a moment when links break in bulk. Run a thorough audit immediately afterward, every time, to catch the damage before it settles in.

Key takeaways

Links break continuously, not once a year
Check more often the more you publish
Continuous monitoring beats periodic audits
Always audit right after a major change

Written by

Julien Jimenez

Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.