FAQs
Everything you need to know about how LinksGuard works.
How does LinksGuard detect broken links?
We send an HTTP HEAD request to each link and follow the full redirect chain. If the final destination returns a 404, 410, redirects to a homepage (a common Amazon pattern for discontinued products), or contains out-of-stock signals in the page body, we mark the link as broken or warn you. For servers that don't support HEAD, we fall back to a GET request automatically.
Why does Amazon show a 200 OK even for dead product pages?
Amazon redirects discontinued product URLs to their homepage instead of returning a 404. Most uptime monitors see a 200 and assume everything is fine — but you're sending visitors to the Amazon homepage, not the product. LinksGuard specifically detects this redirect pattern and flags it as broken.
How often are my links checked?
Free plan links are checked once a week. Pro plan links are checked every 24 hours. Checks run automatically — you don't need to do anything after adding a link.
How does click tracking work?
When you add a link to LinksGuard, you get a short redirect URL (linkguard.app/go/your-link-id). Use that URL in your content instead of the raw affiliate URL. Every click goes through our proxy, which records the platform based on the referrer header, then immediately redirects to your affiliate destination. There's no noticeable delay.
Does using a redirect URL affect my affiliate commissions?
No. LinksGuard does a standard 302 redirect to your original affiliate URL with all parameters intact. Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and other networks track attribution normally.
What happens when a link breaks?
You get an email alert the moment we detect it. Pro users also see AI-powered replacement suggestions for the broken product.
Can I cancel my Pro subscription at any time?
Yes, anytime. Go to the dashboard, click "Manage billing", and cancel from there. You'll keep Pro access until the end of your billing period. No questions asked.
What affiliate networks do you support?
Any network — Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, Rakuten, direct brand programs, and more. LinksGuard works with any URL. The health check logic has specific handling for Amazon's redirect patterns, and we'll add more network-specific logic over time.
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