Quick Reference
Element Code: LI-011
Issue: Links have invalid or broken href values
Impact: Links may not work, poor user experience
Fix: Fix malformed URLs in href attributes
Detection: HTML validation, Screaming Frog
What Is This Issue?
Malformed hrefs include broken URLs, missing protocols, incorrect encoding, or syntax errors. These links may fail or behave unexpectedly.
Why This Matters for Your Website
Broken links frustrate users and waste crawl budget. They also prevent link equity from flowing properly.
How to Fix This Issue
- Find malformed links: Crawl site for URL errors
- Fix syntax: Proper URL encoding and format
- Add protocol: Include https:// for absolute URLs
Tools for Detection
- Screaming Frog: Reports malformed URLs
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Some of your links have broken or malformed URLs. Fix the href values so the links actually work.
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