The Internet Archive has launched Link Fixer, a WordPress extension aimed at automatically resolving invalid hyperlinks across online content, according to a TechCrunch report. This phenomenon, commonly called link rot, leads to web articles accumulating non-functional links that result in 404 error messages over time.
Pew Research Center data reveals that approximately 38 percent of webpages available in 2013 had become unreachable by 2024.
Developed jointly with Automattic, a prominent supporter of WordPress core development, the extension leverages the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. It reviews WordPress entries for outgoing links and archives them proactively. In cases where a link fails, visitors are redirected to the preserved copy. If the original source returns online, the connection updates automatically, eliminating the need for hands-on fixes.
The tool also safeguards the site's internal pages and enables customization of link verification frequency, set by default to every three days. Considering WordPress supports more than 43 percent of the internet by 2025, the plugin holds strong potential for broad influence if it gains traction.
This story first ran in our partner outlet PC för Alla, where it was originally written in Swedish before translation and adaptation.
Viktor covers news and provides insights for our affiliated sites M3 and PC för Alla. He maintains a strong focus on technology trends, tracking recent product introductions and prominent issues in the consumer electronics sector.