A failed link check is a useful lead, not a complete diagnosis. A destination may be missing, temporarily unavailable, restricted to signed-in visitors or unwilling to accept an automated check. Confirm the context before changing a link.
Start with the page you are reviewing
A page-level check is different from crawling a whole website. Decide which outgoing links matter to the visitor’s task.
- Open the target page in Safari on Mac.
- Identify navigation, download and main call-to-action links.
- Note whether some destinations require sign-in.
- Use a test page without private account information when demonstrating the tool.
Review with LinkDoctor
LinkDoctor is a Safari tool for checking links. Use the report to choose which destinations need a closer look.
- Enable the extension in Safari and grant the page access it needs.
- Run the check on the current page.
- Inspect failed destinations and redirect information shown by the app.
- Open important flagged links normally to check what a visitor encounters.
- Fix the source link or destination, then repeat the check.
Interpret a reported failure
Do not assume that every non-success response proves a link should be deleted.
- A 404 indicates the requested resource was not found; find the intended replacement.
- A 403 can indicate an access restriction. Check the audience and sign-in requirement.
- A 5xx result can be temporary; verify the destination later before changing the source.
- A redirect can be intentional; prefer a stable final URL when you control the link.
After a fix
Test the destination as the relevant visitor. A link working in your signed-in account may still fail for everyone else.
- Review link text so visitors know where they are going.
- Re-check important navigation and store buttons.
- Avoid promising a site-wide audit from a current-page workflow.
Sources and product details
Frequently asked questions
Does a flagged link always mean a broken page?
No. Access requirements or temporary errors can cause a failed check.
Is checking one page the same as crawling a site?
No. Review the scope of the tool and check other important pages separately.
Should I remove every redirect?
No. Some redirects are intentional; review the final destination and avoid unnecessary chains where you control them.
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