Broken Link Manager
Find 404 URLs, create useful redirects and understand the optional pattern-repair tools.
Record missing URLs, create exact redirects and use optional smart/keyword/replacement rules for recurring patterns.
What is a broken link?
A visitor or crawler requests a URL that your store cannot serve. OpenCart returns a not-found/404 response. HuntBee can record that URL so you can decide whether it needs a redirect or should simply remain a real 404.
Main settings
| Setting | What it means | Recommended for beginners | Change it when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclude Query Parameters | Parameters ignored while grouping/logging. Default includes sort,order. | Keep defaults; add only noisy parameters that do not identify different content. | Tracking/sorting parameters create duplicate log rows. |
| Excluded Terms | URL fragments that should not fill the 404 log. Defaults include robots.txt, module/, favicon.ico. | Keep defaults. | A harmless recurring technical path creates noise. |
| Ignore IP | Do not log hits from specified IPs. | Leave blank unless your own monitoring/testing creates noise. | You have a known trusted IP to exclude. |
| Ignore User Agent | Do not log selected user-agent patterns. | Leave blank unless a known harmless bot creates noise. | You have verified the user agent. |
| Default URL | Fallback target used only by relevant redirect logic. | Leave blank at first. | You have a deliberate fallback strategy that is relevant to missing content. |
| Smart URL | Attempts to match useful final URL segments against known SEO URLs. Default off. | Leave off until you review your 404 patterns. | Many old URLs follow a predictable structure and tests show accurate matches. |
| Keyword URL Rules | Rules for mapping meaningful keywords/patterns. | Leave off/empty until needed. | A repeatable legacy URL pattern can be mapped safely. |
| URL Replacer Rules | Transforms known old URL patterns. | Advanced; leave empty until you have exact test cases. | A migration created a stable replaceable URL pattern. |
| Redirect Type | HTTP status for configured redirect. Default 301. | 301 for genuinely permanent moves; 302/307 for temporary moves; 308 only when you understand its semantics/support. | The move is temporary or your migration requires a different permanent code. |
| Auto-delete Hit Threshold | Old low-value log cleanup threshold. Default 4 hits. | Keep default initially. | You need a different noise-retention balance. |
| Auto-delete Days | Age used for old low-value log cleanup. Default 15 days. | Keep default initially. | Your traffic cycle requires a longer investigation window. |
| Custom 404 Template | Optional HuntBee custom not-found presentation. Default disabled. | Leave disabled unless you specifically want to customise the 404 page. | Your theme’s 404 experience needs an intentional replacement. |
Should every 404 redirect?
No. If a deleted product has a truly relevant replacement/category, redirecting can help users. If the URL is nonsense, a typo, spam or has no replacement, a real 404 can be correct.
Tabs you will see
Broken Links, Page Redirects, Settings, Keywords, URL Replacer, 404 Template and Tools. Start with the Broken Links and Page Redirects tabs. The pattern tools are for repeatable migration cases, not day-one setup.