How To Find Orphan Pages Using SEO Tools

Orphan pages are web pages not linked to any other pages on your site, making them hard for users and search engines to find. These pages can hurt your SEO and user experience by wasting crawl budgets and hiding valuable content. Here’s how to find and fix them:

• Tools to Use:
  • Screaming Frog: Compare your XML sitemap and crawl data to locate disconnected pages.
  • Ahrefs: Use site audits and internal link reports to spot pages with no internal links.
  • Semrush: Analyse your site structure and traffic data to identify orphan pages.
• Steps to Fix Orphan Pages:
  1. Add internal links from related content.
  2. Regularly audit your site to prevent new orphan pages.
  3. Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console for deeper insights.

Addressing orphan pages improves site navigation, SEO rankings, and user experience. Start by auditing your site with these tools and ensure all pages are connected for better performance.

Understanding Orphan Pages

What Are Orphan Pages?

Orphan pages are pages on your website that aren’t linked to from anywhere else within your site. In other words, they exist but are disconnected from your internal linking structure. These pages often appear due to:

• Old or outdated content that hasn’t been removed
• URLs automatically generated by your CMS
• Pages unintentionally left out of your navigation system

Impact of Orphan Pages

Orphan pages can negatively affect your website in several ways:

Search Engine Crawlability

While search engines might still find orphan pages through XML sitemaps or external links, the lack of internal links means these pages don’t benefit from PageRank distribution. As a result, they often struggle to rank in search results.

Key Issues They Cause

• Useful content remains hidden from users
• Navigation paths can break
• Crawl budget is wasted on isolated pages
• Internal link value isn’t fully utilised
• Users may have a harder time discovering relevant content

Technical SEO Problems

Orphan pages can also lead to technical SEO headaches. They make crawling less efficient, disrupt the flow of internal link value, and might even result in duplicate content issues. A study by E-Web Marketing revealed that up to 15% of e-commerce pages are orphaned, often containing content that could boost site performance.

Loss of SEO Value

Without internal links, these pages miss out on critical ranking signals like PageRank flow and contextual relevance, which can significantly impact their visibility.

Addressing orphan pages is essential for improving your site’s overall performance. Tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, and Semrush can help you identify and fix these pages effectively.

How to find orphan pages using Screaming Frog

Identifying Orphan Pages with SEO Tools

Finding orphan pages is crucial for improving your site’s structure and ensuring both users and search engines can access all your content. Here’s how to effectively use three popular SEO tools to locate these pages:

Using Screaming Frog

Screaming Frog helps you compare your site’s structure with its XML sitemap to spot orphan pages. Here’s how to do it:

• Navigate to ‘Configuration > Spider’ and add your sitemap URL.
• Turn on the ‘Crawl Linked XML Sitemaps’ option.
• Once the crawl is complete, check the ‘Internal’ tab and filter for pages with no crawl depth.

This tool focuses on sitemap and crawl data, but for a deeper look into link patterns, consider using Ahrefs.

Using Ahrefs

Ahrefs can uncover orphan pages by analysing both internal and external link data. Here’s what to do:

• Perform a site audit to map out your site’s structure.
• Check the internal links report for pages with zero internal links.
• Use the Page Explorer feature to confirm orphan status by reviewing external links.

Ahrefs provides a broader view, making it easier to understand how these pages connect – or don’t connect – to your site.

Using Semrush

Semrush combines site auditing with traffic analysis to pinpoint orphan pages:

• Review your site structure and internal link distribution.
• Compare traffic data to find pages that get visits but lack internal links.
• Set up automated alerts to monitor orphan pages regularly.

For the most thorough results, cross-check data from all three tools. Once you’ve identified orphan pages, make sure to integrate them into your internal linking strategy to improve accessibility and relevance.

Fixing Orphan Pages

After identifying orphan pages with tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Semrush, it’s important to address them to maintain a well-structured website.

Adding Internal Links

Adding internal links is one of the best ways to fix orphan pages. Focus on linking these pages to related content, such as category pages, blog posts, or product pages. This not only helps users navigate your site but also ensures link equity is distributed effectively.

Here are some tips for effective internal linking:

• Use descriptive anchor text that aligns with the target page’s keywords.
• Place links in the main content rather than in footers or sidebars.
• Ensure the links provide value to users by being relevant and helpful.
• Link from high-authority pages to give orphaned pages a boost.

While fixing existing orphan pages is crucial, keeping an eye on your site’s structure regularly can help avoid similar issues in the future.

Regular Site Audits

Routine audits are key to ensuring orphan pages don’t pile up over time. Experts suggest conducting audits at least every quarter to maintain a well-organised site structure ^[2].

During these audits, you should:

• Use multiple SEO tools to get a complete picture of your site.
• Track metrics like traffic and search rankings to gauge progress.
• Keep a record of all orphan pages identified and note how they were resolved.
• Review your internal linking strategy to ensure no pages are left isolated.

For ongoing monitoring, set up automated alerts in tools like Semrush, and combine them with detailed quarterly audits using Screaming Frog or Ahrefs. This approach ensures your site remains easy to navigate for both users and search engines.

Conclusion

Fixing orphan pages plays a key role in improving your website’s structure and boosting SEO performance. The tools mentioned earlier offer effective ways to locate and address these isolated pages.

When you resolve orphan pages, your site benefits from better content accessibility and increased visibility in search engines. Acting quickly when these pages are identified helps keep your site’s SEO strategy on solid ground.

To manage orphan pages effectively, consider these steps:

• Use multiple tools to thoroughly analyse your site.
• Combine data from XML sitemaps, Google Analytics, and Search Console.
• Set up regular monitoring schedules.
• Address issues as soon as they are found.

Building on the strategies we discussed, like internal linking and regular audits, will help you create a reliable system for maintaining your site’s structure. This system should include both automated tools and scheduled manual checks to ensure no pages are left isolated over time.

Consistency is key. No matter the size of your site, prioritise keeping its structure connected, auditing regularly, and fixing problems without delay. By sticking to these practices and applying the solutions outlined earlier, you’ll keep your website well-organised and optimised for both users and search engines.

FAQs

How to check for orphaned pages?

Here are some tools and methods to help you identify and address orphan pages:

• Screaming Frog: Use the sitemap comparison feature to identify pages with no crawl depth. This tool matches your site structure with XML sitemaps to find isolated pages.
• Ahrefs: The Site Audit tool includes an ‘Orphan Pages’ report, which highlights pages lacking internal links.
• Semrush: The Site Audit tool compares sitemap data and traffic insights, making it easier to spot pages disconnected from your site’s structure.

To manage orphan pages effectively, combine insights from tools like XML sitemaps, Google Analytics, and Search Console. Regular site audits will help maintain a well-organised structure.

If you’re looking for professional help, agencies such as E-Web Marketing offer services that include resolving orphan pages as part of their SEO strategies.