> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.does.qa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.does.qa/test-steps/check/check-links.md).

# Check Links

Check Links follows links on the page and confirms they return acceptable HTTP status codes. Use it as a quick health check for navigation, footers, and marketing pages.

![Check links Test Step](https://app.does.qa/screenshots/node/check_links_valid.png)

## When to use it

* Scan every link on a landing page for broken URLs before release.
* Limit the scan to internal links when external sites are outside your control.
* Scope the check to one [Element](/elements/creating-elements.md) when only a footer or nav block should be tested.

## Configure

### Basics

| Field           | What to set                                              |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Links Types** | `All Links` (default), `Internal`, or `External`         |
| **Target Area** | `Entire Page` (default) or `Inside Element`              |
| **Element**     | The Element to scan when Target Area is `Inside Element` |
| **Status**      | Required HTTP outcome (`No Errors (400-599)` by default) |

### Advanced

| Field                                 | What to set                                          |
| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Status on fail**                    | [Failed Status](/test-step-options/failed-status.md) |
| **When should screenshots be taken?** | `Always` or `On Failures` (default)                  |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro tip:** Set **Target Area** to `Inside Element` and point at a footer or nav Element when the whole page includes third-party links you do not want in the scan.
{% endhint %}

## Related

* [Check Address](/test-steps/check/check-address.md)
* [Check](/test-steps/check.md)

**Tags:** `check`, `links`, `valid`, `test`, `expect`, `assert`, `links`, `valid`, `404s`