Xenu-Link Sleuth is a legacy desktop tool that scans websites to identify broken links, missing images, and other link-related issues.
What Is Xenu Link Sleuth?
Xenu Link Sleuth is an old but once-popular Windows-based software used by SEO professionals and webmasters to detect broken links, analyze site structure, and improve overall website health. Although no longer updated, it is still used by some for small-scale link audits.
Why Xenu Link Sleuth Matters:
- Broken Link Detection – Quickly identifies 404 errors and dead URLs.
- Improves SEO – Fixing broken links boosts user experience and search rankings.
- Lightweight Tool – Works without heavy system resources.
- Visual Site Maps – Displays site structure for better optimization.
- Free to Use – No licensing cost, unlike some modern tools.
How to Use Xenu Link Sleuth:
- Download & Install – Runs on Windows.
- Enter Your Website URL – The tool crawls and analyzes links.
- Review Broken Links Report – Fix issues in your CMS or code.
- Export Reports – Save data for tracking and audits.
- Repeat Regularly – Maintain link health over time.
Example in Practice:
A blogger uses Xenu Link Sleuth to find 404 errors on old blog posts and update them with working internal or external links.
