# Link Reclamation: Recover Lost and Broken Backlinks

Learn to reclaim lost backlinks and fix broken link issues. Recover valuable links through technical fixes and strategic outreach.

Canonical: https://backlinkgrid.com/link-building-tactics/link-reclamation


Link reclamation recovers links you've lost or should have. This includes fixing broken links to your site, recovering links that disappeared, and addressing redirect issues. It's one of the most efficient link building tactics because these links were already earned.

## Types of Link Reclamation

### Lost External Links

Links that once existed but no longer do.

**Causes**:
- Linking page removed or changed
- Linking site went offline
- Content updated without your link
- Site migration broke links

### Broken Internal Links

Links from external sites that point to broken URLs on your site.

**Causes**:
- Your page was moved or deleted
- URL structure changed
- Redirects not implemented
- Technical issues

### Redirect Chain Issues

Links going through multiple redirects, losing value.

**Causes**:
- Multiple site migrations
- Incremental URL changes
- Redirect implementation issues

### Suboptimal Links

Links that exist but could be better.

**Examples**:
- Links to wrong page (homepage vs relevant page)
- HTTP links instead of HTTPS
- Old URL instead of new one
- Links missing from updated content

---

## Finding Reclamation Opportunities

### Using Backlink Tools

**Ahrefs**:
1. Site Explorer → Backlinks
2. Filter by HTTP response: 404
3. Export broken backlinks
4. Identify valuable links to reclaim

**Semrush**:
1. Backlink Audit
2. Filter for lost links
3. Review recently lost links
4. Identify high-value losses

**Moz**:
1. Link Explorer
2. Check lost links
3. Filter by authority
4. Prioritise for reclamation

### Lost Link Discovery

**Compare over time**:
1. Export backlinks from 6 months ago
2. Export current backlinks
3. Compare for differences
4. Identify valuable lost links

**What to look for**:
- High DA/DR domains
- Relevant industry sites
- Editorial placements
- Previously valuable traffic sources

### Technical Audit

**Find your own issues**:
1. Crawl your site (Screaming Frog)
2. Identify 404 pages with external links
3. Check redirect chains
4. Find orphaned redirects

---

## Prioritising Reclamation Efforts

### Value Assessment

Not all lost links are worth recovering.

**High priority**:
- High-authority domains (DA/DR 40+)
- Relevant industry sites
- Editorial placements
- Links that drove traffic

**Low priority**:
- Low-quality sites
- Irrelevant links
- Minimal traffic impact
- Already replaced by better links

### Effort Assessment

**Easy fixes**:
- Implement redirects on your site
- Fix technical issues
- Update internal link structure

**Medium effort**:
- Outreach for simple fixes
- Content still exists, link just removed
- Clear reason for the link

**High effort**:
- Outreach for removed content
- Site has changed significantly
- Unclear contact information

### Priority Matrix

| Value | Effort | Action |
|-------|--------|--------|
| High | Low | Immediate fix |
| High | Medium | Priority outreach |
| High | High | Worth pursuing |
| Medium | Low | Quick fix |
| Medium | Medium | If time allows |
| Low | Any | Skip |

---

## Technical Reclamation

### Implementing Redirects

For links pointing to pages that have moved:

**301 redirects**:
- Point old URLs to new locations
- Preserve link equity
- Implement at server level or through CMS

**Redirect rules** (example):
```
# Apache .htaccess
Redirect 301 /old-page/ /new-page/
```

**Best practices**:
- Direct redirects (avoid chains)
- Redirect to most relevant page
- Avoid redirecting everything to homepage
- Test redirects work correctly

### Fixing Redirect Chains

For links going through multiple redirects:

**Identify chains**:
- Use crawling tools
- Check backlink reports
- Test sample links

**Fix by**:
- Updating redirects to point directly to final destination
- Removing intermediate steps
- Consolidating redirect logic

### Restoring Deleted Pages

If valuable pages were deleted:

**Options**:
1. **Restore the page**: If content still valuable
2. **Create new page**: Updated version of old content
3. **Redirect to best alternative**: If page not needed

---

## Outreach-Based Reclamation

### Lost Link Outreach

For links removed from still-existing pages:

**Process**:
1. Identify what changed
2. Find appropriate contact
3. Reach out politely
4. Request reinstatement or update

**Template**:

```
Subject: Link on your [page name]

Hi [Name],

I noticed our link was removed from your article on [topic]
during what looks like a recent update.

We'd be happy if you could restore it—our [resource] at
[URL] still provides [relevant value] for readers looking
into [topic].

If there's different content that would be a better fit,
I'd be happy to discuss.

Thanks,
[Your name]
```

### Broken Link on Their End

When linking site has issues:

**Template**:

```
Subject: Broken link on [page name]

Hi [Name],

Just noticed that the link to our [resource] on your
[page name] appears to be broken—it's pointing to [old URL]
which no longer works.

The correct URL is: [current URL]

Would you be able to update it? Happy to help with
anything needed.

Thanks,
[Your name]
```

### Suggesting Better Target

When they link to suboptimal page:

**Template**:

```
Subject: Suggestion for link on [article]

Hi [Name],

Noticed you linked to our homepage from your article on
[topic]. We actually have a more relevant page that might
be more useful for your readers:

[More relevant URL]

It covers [specific topic] directly rather than our general
site. Thought it might be a better fit for the context.

Either way, thanks for the mention!

[Your name]
```

---

## Preventing Future Link Loss

### Technical Hygiene

**Maintain URL structure**:
- Avoid unnecessary URL changes
- Implement redirects immediately when needed
- Monitor for 404 errors

**Regular auditing**:
- Monthly check for broken inbound links
- Quarterly lost link review
- Technical audit for redirect issues

### Link Monitoring

**Set up alerts**:
- Lost link notifications
- Mention monitoring (don't forget to track [unlinked brand mentions](/glossary/unlinked-mention) as well)
- Brand alerts

**Regular reviews**:
- Monthly backlink report comparison
- Identify new losses quickly
- Act while relationships fresh

### Documentation

**Track important links**:
- High-value link sources
- Relationship contacts
- Link context and history

When links are lost from documented sources, reclamation is easier.

---

## Measuring Success

### Metrics to Track

**Reclamation activity**:
- Opportunities identified
- Outreach sent
- Technical fixes implemented

**Results**:
- Links recovered
- Link equity restored
- Traffic recovered

### Success Rates

**Technical fixes**: Near 100% (you control)
**Outreach reclamation**: 20-40% (varies widely)

### ROI Assessment

Link reclamation typically has excellent ROI:

- Low effort per opportunity
- High success rate vs cold outreach
- Recovering already-earned links
- Minimal content requirements

---

## Common Mistakes

### Ignoring Technical Opportunities

**Mistake**: Only doing outreach, not fixing your own issues

**Problem**: Missing easy wins

**Solution**: Start with technical fixes you control

### Mass Outreach

**Mistake**: Generic template to all lost links

**Problem**: Low success rate, poor relationships

**Solution**: Personalise based on context

### Chasing Low-Value Links

**Mistake**: Spending time on every lost link

**Problem**: Wasted effort on low-impact recovery

**Solution**: Prioritise by value and effort

### Not Following Up

**Mistake**: Single outreach attempt only

**Problem**: Miss many recoverable links

**Solution**: Appropriate follow-up (1-2 times)

---

## Summary

Link reclamation offers efficient link building:

**Types of opportunities**:
- Lost external links
- Broken links to your site
- Redirect chain issues
- Suboptimal link targets

**Finding opportunities**:
- Backlink tool reports
- Historical comparison
- Technical site audits

**Fixing issues**:
- Implement redirects (technical)
- Outreach for reinstatement
- Fix redirect chains
- Suggest better targets

**Best practices**:
- Prioritise by value and effort
- Start with technical fixes
- Personalise outreach
- Monitor to prevent future loss

These are links you've already earned—reclaiming them is often easier than building new ones.

---

## What to Read Next

- [Backlink Audit Guide](/backlink-audit/how-to-audit)
- [Broken Link Building](/link-building-tactics/broken-link-building)
- [Unlinked Mentions](/link-building-tactics/unlinked-mentions)