Link Reclamation – How to Find & Reclaim Lost Backlinks

One of the harsh truths in SEO is that links do have an expiration date.

Yes, we know that the webmaster promised you that the link placement is going to be permanent and resistant to Google algo updates, surviving the Ice Age if needed. 

But links can break over time.

There are many possible causes, such as content modifications or website migrations. Or simply because the webmaster determined the link was no longer relevant. 

What makes it so frustrating is the fact that it is extremely complex and time-consuming to build a link. So all the effort, resources, and link value can be lost in just one moment.  

That is where link reclamation takes over—one of the most effective tactics to retrieve all the lost link value. How does it work? Let’s see. 

What is link reclamation?

Link reclamation might sound like something straight from an epic or fantasy series. 

You returned to reclaim what is rightfully yours, strengthening your position in search results. On the SERP, it is Game of Thrones. In this instance, dragons will not help you conquer the rankigs; however, forgotten links will.

Setting aside clever allusions, link reclamation is identifying, repairing, and replacing broken links pointing to your website. 

These broken links don’t transfer as much value as they should. This applies to both internal and external ones since they can contribute to the better visibility of your online domain. Link reclamation is often overlooked because most strategies are based on ‘’we will just build more links and everything will be back to normal’’.

Losing links while obtaining new ones is counterproductive because there is no worse thing in SEO than the status quo. So link reclamation goes hand in hand with strategic link building to create stable growth.

Link reclamation is similar to two other SEO strategies that can benefit online visibility, but they are not interchangeable. These strategies are unlinked branded mentions and broken link building. 

Unlinked brand mentions are just what their name suggests; they are organic mentions of your brand on reputable websites. Turning these brand mentions into links can boost your referral traffic.

Broken link building represents locating broken link opportunities online. But it is not just about reclaiming your old links, you can also find broken links of your competitors and claim them. Yes, that can work too.

How are links lost?

Although there are many causes for broken links, the following are the most frequent ones:

• Page not found: the target page wasn’t accessible during the last crawl so the link is nonexistent anymore, you will get a 404 error. Sometimes, the link removal happens accidentally and telltale signs of it include a lot of internal and inbound links pointing to that page.

• 301/302 redirects: the linking page is now redirected somewhere else. There are several instances of this happening, like redirecting from HTTP to the HTTPS version or redirecting to the standardized version of the URL. If it is redirected and your link is there, technically, it still counts. But if the article is redirected to a home page, it is best to reach out to the webmaster and address the issue.

• Dropped pages: pages are sometimes removed from indexing. For example, if, a domain does not exist anymore, therefore same fate awaits your links.

• Link removed manually: when the linking page is still there but your link is gone.

• Broken redirects: your link and linking page are live but your target is reached through a couple of redirects and one of them is now broken, hence the link is lost.

• Non-canonical: there is a rel=“canonical” tag pointing to another page, therefore, the page is not unique and links are not taken into consideration.

As you can see, there could be a variety of causes, from technical problems to Google’s gods disapproving of your SEO strategies. Luckily, once you realize what you are up against, you will be ready to claim your links back.

How can link reclamation benefit your SEO?

Being free of 404 links is one of the most crucial components of excellent SEO health. There are many advantages to implementing a link reclamation strategy, and we will highlight a few here: 

1. Reclaiming links will enhance the visibility of your website. You can definitely receive Google redemption points by recovering lost links.
2. When there are no hiccups and all internal linking is contextual, your website will appear more reliable.
3. Consistently maintaining the value of your backlink portfolio.
4. Avoiding 404 crawl errors.
5. Competitive edge and improved credibility. 

How to find and reclaim broken external backlinks

Recognizing the importance of link reclamation for SEO? Great! Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and recover those lost link benefits. Consider it essential website maintenance, like updating content or optimizing speed. Let’s reclaim that SEO value!

1. How to find lost backlinks

Identifying those absent backlinks ought to be our top concern. Ahrefs, your virtual metal detectors, and other tools of a like nature scour the web for broken links pointing to your domain. Create a thorough spreadsheet once you have a list; this will be your road map to successful link reclamation. 

Skale expert advice: Make good use of the Best Links Filter from Ahrefs! You can easily filter out best links and in the backlink checker go to ‘’Show best links only’’ and mark the lost ones.

In Screaming Frog:

2. How to fix links to error 404 pages

Yes, the much-maligned 404 error. Don’t give up. Use a 301 redirect to reroute links to a relevant page on your website if the broken one can be replaced.

But what if the content is truly gone? Not a problem. Here’s where outreach comes in. Get in touch with the website owner and offer a different link that points to a pertinent page on your website. Be kind, clarify the circumstances, and provide value to ensure that everyone wins.

3. How to find ‘stolen’ content (and request an attribution link)

Have you ever felt that your content is being used a bit too freely on another website? Don’t fret! You may find examples of your content appearing on other websites without giving due credit by using tools such as Ahrefs.

Skale tip: Use tact when communicating. Send them a respectful email pointing out the missing attribution and offering them the chance to add a link back to your original work. Building relationships with other website owners is crucial, and a strong first impression is very important for long-term SEO success.  

4. Reclaim lost links with reverse image search

Images can be “borrowed” without attribution, just like content. Don’t let your precious visuals go unnoticed. To find out where your images are being used, use Google Image Search or a specialized reverse image search tool.

Expert advice from Skale: Not every situation calls for a backlink. A simple “thank you” could be appropriate if the image is used in a relevant context and properly credited.

Include link reclamation in your SEO strategy

Reclaiming links can be a big part of your overall SEO plan by:

• A better backlink profile for your website: Link equity, which is a key ranking factor for search engines, is restored to your website by reclaiming lost links. You may increase the authority of your website in the eyes of search engines and fortify your backlink profile by constantly finding and mending broken links.
• Increasing organic traffic: An excellent backlink profile can help your website’s organic traffic grow. Search engines are more likely to rank your website higher in search results as they see the improvements you have made to your backlink profile. This may result in more people naturally finding your website.
• Building brand awareness: Another way to do this is through link reclamation. By contacting website owners to have broken links fixed, you are effectively introducing your brand to a new audience. This may contribute to raising brand recognition and bringing in more targeted visitors to your website.

To help you plan for a link reclamation project, consider the following timeline:

• Timeframe: Although link reclamation is a continuous process, you can start using it right away and observe some preliminary benefits. It is advisable to consistently seek out new opportunities on a quarterly basis.
• Tools: To begin link reclamation, you will require a few tools. Below are a few necessities:
  • Ahrefs and SEMrush are examples of SEO tools (to identify lost or broken links)
  • Google Search Console (to track the health of your website and spot possible problems)
  • Spreadsheet programs (to track your development)
• Results: How long it takes to see results from link reclamation depends on the severity of your link problems and the level of competition in your niche. However, a few months after implementation, you should begin to see some positive results. You should gradually see an increase in organic traffic and possibly higher rankings over time as link equity grows and search engines re-crawl your website and take your changes into account. 

Best practices for outreach requests that get responses

Now, team, pay attention! As we have discussed, link reclamation offers your website a much-needed boost in backlinks. It also has SEO benefits. However, let us talk strategy before you start sending out mass emails demanding your link juice back. Because establishing connections with pertinent bloggers is the key.

Think of it like this: Say you want to storm into a networking event and tell everyone that they are all “stealing ideas.” Not exactly the way to win people over or acquire those lovely backlinks. 

And what is the key to effective link reclamation? A hidden weapon? Is it there? Oh yes, it is there, and its: communication. We’re talking about friendly outreach emails that build bridges, not walls.

Here’s your cheat sheet for crafting replies that don’t get lost in the inbox abyss:

• Personalization, power up. Don’t send generic emails. Address the website owner by name and mention something specific about their site (bonus points for referencing a recent article). Make it a conversation, not a cold call.
• Value proposition time.  Explain how a link back to your website benefits them and their audience. Are you offering a killer resource, a fresh perspective, or a perfectly complementary piece of content? Highlight the win-win situation.
• Emojis: use with caution! A well-placed emoji can add a touch of personality, but don’t go overboard! A single emoji can lighten the tone, while a string of emojis can scream unprofessional. Keep it classy, friends.
• Follow up and don’t freak out. Didn’t hear back after a week? No worries! A polite follow-up email can sometimes be the nudge needed to spark a response. Just keep it friendly and avoid sounding pushy.

These pointers will help you write link reclamation emails that stand out and create enduring relationships. Do not forget that cooperation is the goal, not conflict. You are now SEO super heroes; go forth and recover those backlinks.

How to find and fix broken internal links

Ahrefs Site Explorer can identify broken internal links on your website, just like other website scanners or paid tools. These tools clearly show the problems, which simplifies their detection and easy remedy.

Skale’s internal linking expertise:

“SEO depends on a well-organized internal linking structure,” and that’s how it’s done at Skale, a company specializing in SEO for SaaS businesses. “Broken links disrupt user flow and SEO juice. We use Ahrefs and manual analysis to find and fix these issues, keeping your visitors happy.”

Fixing the mayhem:

Now that you have your list, get to work! Here’s a quick fix guide:

• Existing page: Update the link to point to the correct URL.
• Missing page:
  • 301 redirect: Send users (and link juice) to a relevant page.
  • Remove the link: If no relevant page exists, remove it entirely.

Beyond fixing: Internal linking is more than just a science—it is an art. Skale moves beyond basic fixes. Broken internal links can be eliminated and a flawless user experience can be created for website visitors by using tools such as Ahrefs and following these steps.

Measure success of link reclamation campaigns

It appears that you have been a link reclamation super hero, recovering lost links and increasing the backlink profile of your website. However, how do you assess the results of your work? Now is the perfect moment to pull out your prospector’s tools and examine your SEO treasure!

Digging for the information pearls:

Here’s your arsenal for measuring link reclamation accomplishments:

• Traffic and rankings: You can determine whether your organic traffic and keyword rankings are rising by using tools like Google Search Console and analytics programs like Google Analytics.
• Backlink profile: You can keep an eye on your backlink profile, which includes the quantity of backlinks, referring domains, and overall link quality, by using tools like Ahrefs or Moz. After your reclamation efforts, watch for an increase in high-quality backlinks.
• Brand mentions: Resources such as Brandwatch or Mention can show a rise in online brand mentions, possibly as a result of outreach campaigns conducted during reclamation.

The full effect of link reclamation may not be felt for several months, even though you may notice some initial gains in traffic or rankings. Be patient and persistent!

Reclaim your lost links – and build more

Bravo, champion of link reclamation! You have improved your backlink profile and found hidden gems. However, keep in mind that backlinks are like SEO gold; the more you have, the higher your website appears in search results.

Why backlinks rule:

• Top rankings: Search engines love high-quality backlinks, seeing them as a sign of trust and authority. More backlinks = potentially higher rankings!
• Organic traffic boost: Higher rankings translate to more organic traffic—free visitors from search engines!
• Brand awareness bonus: Link reclamation outreach puts your brand in front of new audiences, increasing brand awareness.

Link reclamation works! And here are a few examples of it. See Skale’s magic touch in action:

• Piktochart: We assisted them in regaining lost links, which increased their overall SEO strength and organic traffic. (Piktochart Case Study)
• Happy Scribe: They fulfilled their SEO goals as a result of focused link reclamation efforts that dramatically increased their backlink profile and organic traffic. (Happy Scribe Case Study)

Link reclamation might evoke images of knights reclaiming lost lands. In the domain of SEO, it’s akin to reclaiming your rightful authority in the SERPs. Here, forgotten links, not dragons, hold the key to higher rankings.

But reclaiming lost links is just the first step. While some focus solely on building new ones, these forgotten links represent untapped potential. They could be internal or external, but they all aid to the visibility and strength of your online domain.

Link reclamation is the hidden knight of SEO. Use its strength.

It is about constant growth, not about settling for the status quo. Building new links while neglecting old ones is like adding soldiers to an army while leaving forts unguarded.

Think of it as a two-pronged attack. Link reclamation works alongside strategic link building to create a stable and well-defended SEO castle.