Broken links reported by Google

Website analytics may be a little easier as Google has added the ability to detect the source of broken inbound links, it has been revealed.

In Google Webmaster Tools, inbound broken links to a domain now include a report of where the link resides on the internet, Search Engine Land explains.

This allows webmasters to identify where a link has been redirected to a 404 "file not found" page instead of the intended destination.

"Clearly, knowing about broken links to your site is valuable," the article asserts.

"The best solution in these situations generally is to implement a 301 redirect from the incorrect URL to the [correct] one."

Article author Vanessa Fox adds that the extended website analytics functionality comes with dual benefits for site administrators.

She explains that they now have a means of checking that their content receives its rightful credit, as well as directing visitors to the proper pages.

In August, Ms Fox reported that Microsoft had also incorporated broken link data into its Live Search Webmaster Center - although this did not include information about the page on which the link resides.

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