Broken Links Report: A Comprehensive Analysis

by Alex Johnson 46 views

Ensuring a website provides a seamless user experience is crucial, and one of the key elements is maintaining the integrity of its links. Broken links not only frustrate users but also negatively impact a website's search engine ranking. This report provides a detailed analysis of broken links found by an automated link checker on adunkman.me, categorized by their status and the pages where they appear.

Link Checker Report Summary

The automated link checker scanned a total of 1583 links on the website. The results provide a clear overview of the link health:

  • 🔍 Total Links: 1583
  • ✅ Successful Links: 1425
  • ⏳ Timeouts: 0
  • 🔀 Redirected Links: 106
  • 👻 Excluded Links: 25
  • ❓ Unknown Status: 0
  • 🚫 Errors: 27
  • ⛔ Unsupported: 0

This summary indicates that the vast majority of links are functioning correctly. However, the 27 errors identified require immediate attention to ensure a smooth user experience and maintain the website's credibility. The 106 redirected links should also be reviewed to ensure they lead to the most relevant and up-to-date content.

Detailed Breakdown of Link Errors

This section provides a detailed breakdown of the errors found on specific pages, offering insights into the types of issues encountered and their locations. Addressing these errors promptly is essential for maintaining a high-quality website.

Errors in /app/public/blog/2013/next-desk-terra/index.html

This page contains the following error:

  • [ERROR] <https://www.monitorsinmotion.com/boa/> | Network error: SSL certificate verification failed. Check certificate validity.

Analysis: The error indicates an issue with the SSL certificate of the linked website (www.monitorsinmotion.com). An invalid or expired SSL certificate can prevent users from accessing the linked content, as browsers will display a warning message. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to ensure user trust and data security.

Recommended Action: The website owner should verify the SSL certificate's validity and ensure it is properly installed and configured. This might involve contacting the certificate provider or the hosting provider for assistance.

Errors in /app/public/contact/index.html

This page contains the following error:

  • [999] <https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dunkman/> | Rejected status code (this depends on your "accept" configuration): Unknown status code.

Analysis: The error code 999 is a non-standard code, often used by LinkedIn to throttle requests. It suggests that the link checker might have been rate-limited due to excessive requests. However, it could also indicate a more persistent issue with the link itself. Ensuring your contact information is up to date is critical for visitors.

Recommended Action: The link should be manually checked to ensure it is still valid. If the issue persists, it might be necessary to adjust the link checker's configuration to avoid rate-limiting or consider alternative ways to link to the LinkedIn profile.

Errors in /app/public/reading/index.html

This page has a significant number of errors, indicating potential issues with the linked resources:

  • [403] <https://bellmar.medium.com/engineering-teams-are-just-networks-1fc16058879a> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/@johnpcutler/go-towards-the-discomfort-its-a-sign-21ce4b1a8cc5> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/atlassian-product-management-blog/how-to-influence-without-authority-4622ad7d52c9> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/better-programming/building-a-data-driven-hiring-machine-f9cbb036e91b> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/bigpanda-engineering/what-is-engineering-enablement-b5293a5838ce> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/build-simple-competency-ladders-to-simplify-product-engagement-78a08ac02129> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/nice-work-from-active-voice/work-needs-to-stay-in-its-place-570005c2750a> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/the-liberators/in-depth-stable-or-fluid-teams-what-does-the-science-say-95833b0b91a2> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/the-ready/even-overs-the-prioritization-tool-that-brings-your-strategy-to-life-e4f28f2949ac> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/u-s-digital-response/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-low-code-no-code-tools-e3e3732b573e> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://medium.com/wardleymaps/on-being-lost-2ef5f05eb1ec> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://skamille.medium.com/an-incomplete-list-of-skills-senior-engineers-need-beyond-coding-8ed4a521b29f> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [403] <https://smallbigideas.substack.com/p/understanding-bandwidth-f29119e7eb83> | Rejected status code: Forbidden
  • [404] <https://startsmallscalefast.com/agilebusiness/a-structure-for-continuous-innovation-pioneers-settlers-town-planners/> | Rejected status code: Not Found

Analysis: The majority of errors on this page are 403 Forbidden errors, indicating that the server is refusing access to these resources. This could be due to various reasons, such as the linked content being made private, the website blocking the link checker, or changes in the website's structure. The 404 error suggests that the linked resource no longer exists. Maintaining a high-quality reading list requires regular maintenance.

Recommended Action: Each 403 error link should be manually checked to determine the cause. If the content is no longer available or has been moved, the link should be removed or updated. The 404 error link should be removed as well. Consider replacing these links with alternative resources if appropriate.

Errors in /app/public/talks/brick/index.html

This page contains the following error:

  • [429] <https://archive.is/rkUqh> | Rejected status code: Too Many Requests

Analysis: A 429 Too Many Requests error indicates that the link checker has exceeded the rate limit set by archive.is. This is a common issue when dealing with websites that have strict rate-limiting policies. Ensuring your talks and presentations are accessible is paramount.

Recommended Action: The link should be manually checked to ensure it is still valid. If the issue persists, the link checker's configuration should be adjusted to reduce the frequency of requests to archive.is. Alternatively, consider using a different archiving service or linking directly to the original content if available.

Errors in /app/public/today-i-learned/index.html

This page has a mix of file-related and external link errors:

  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Bedside%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Brief%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Conclusion%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Crosswalk%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Interprofessional%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [ERROR] <file:///app/public/today-i-learned/%E2%80%9D#Project%E2%80%9D> | Cannot find file: File not found.
  • [429] <https://archive.is/1oLTz> | Rejected status code: Too Many Requests
  • [429] <https://archive.is/jOlTQ> | Rejected status code: Too Many Requests
  • [404] <https://odpc.ucsf.edu/misc/favicon.ico> | Rejected status code: Not Found
  • [403] <https://www.quora.com/Is-it-racist-to-say-long-time-no-see> | Rejected status code: Forbidden

Analysis: The file-related errors indicate issues with internal links pointing to specific sections within the today-i-learned page. The 429 errors are similar to those in the /talks/brick/index.html page, indicating rate-limiting by archive.is. The 404 error suggests a missing favicon, and the 403 error indicates a forbidden resource on Quora. Your learning resources should be easily accessible.

Recommended Action: The internal file links should be reviewed and corrected to ensure they point to the correct sections within the page. The rate-limiting issue with archive.is should be addressed as described earlier. The 404 error link should be removed, and the 403 error link should be checked and potentially replaced if the content is no longer accessible.

Analysis of Redirected Links

The report identifies 106 redirected links across various pages. While redirects themselves are not errors, they should be reviewed to ensure they are intentional and lead to the most appropriate content. Excessive redirects can also slow down page loading times and negatively impact user experience.

Key Observations:

  • GitHub Edit Links: Many redirected links point to GitHub edit pages (github.com/adunkman/dunkman.me/edit/main/app/content/...). These redirects typically lead to the GitHub login page, which is expected for users who are not logged in. However, it might be beneficial to provide a clearer indication that these links are for editing purposes only.
  • Boxee.tv Redirect: The link http://boxee.tv/ redirects to https://whatrecovery.org/. This is a significant change in content and likely an outdated link. It should be updated or removed.
  • XBMC Links: Several links related to XBMC (xbmc.org) redirect to Kodi (kodi.tv). This is a valid redirect as XBMC was rebranded as Kodi. However, updating the links to the current Kodi URLs would be a best practice.
  • Medium.com and Other Blog Posts: Some links redirect to the main page of the linked website (e.g., swagitda.com). This often indicates that the specific blog post has been removed or moved. These links should be checked and updated or removed.

Recommended Action: Review all redirected links and update them to point directly to the final destination URL whenever possible. This will improve page loading times and provide a better user experience. Outdated or irrelevant redirects should be removed.

General Recommendations and Best Practices

To maintain a healthy website and avoid broken links, consider implementing the following best practices:

  1. Regular Link Checking: Schedule regular automated link checks to identify and address broken links promptly. Tools like the one used to generate this report can be invaluable.
  2. Manual Review: Periodically manually review links, especially those that have been redirected or flagged as errors. This helps ensure that the linked content is still relevant and accurate.
  3. Update Outdated Links: Replace outdated links with current resources. This includes updating links that point to rebranded products or services (e.g., XBMC to Kodi) and finding alternative resources for content that is no longer available.
  4. Monitor SSL Certificates: Keep track of SSL certificate expiration dates and renew them promptly to avoid network errors and security warnings.
  5. Handle Rate Limiting: Configure link checkers to respect rate limits imposed by websites. This might involve reducing the frequency of requests or using appropriate headers.
  6. Internal Link Management: Ensure internal links are correctly pointing to the intended sections within the website. Use anchor links (#) appropriately and verify their functionality.
  7. User Experience Focus: Always prioritize the user experience by ensuring links are functional and lead to valuable content. Broken links can frustrate users and damage the website's reputation.

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the broken and redirected links found on adunkman.me. By addressing the identified errors and implementing the recommended best practices, the website owner can ensure a high-quality user experience and maintain the website's credibility. Regular maintenance and monitoring of links are essential for any website to thrive in the long term.

For more information on maintaining website health, you can visit trusted sources like Google Search Central. This resource offers valuable insights and best practices for website optimization and maintenance.