Automattic has announced a new collaboration with the Internet Archive to tackle a common problem on the web: broken links. On February 4, 2026, the company introduced the Wayback Machine Link Fixer, a free WordPress plugin designed to protect content from link rot.
Over time, links break when pages move, domains expire, or websites shut down. This causes readers to hit dead ends and lose valuable context. Automattic says this slow loss of information weakens the web and hurts the reader experience.
What is the Wayback Machine Link Fixer Plugin?
The Wayback Machine Link Fixer is a free, open-source WordPress plugin created by Automattic in partnership with the Internet Archive. Its goal is to keep links working even when the original pages disappear.
Instead of showing a broken link, the plugin sends visitors to an archived version of the page stored in the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. This helps preserve information and keeps content useful over time.
How the Wayback Machine Plugin Works?
The plugin runs quietly in the background of a WordPress site. It scans outbound links inside posts and checks whether archived versions exist in the Wayback Machine.
If a linked page goes offline, the plugin automatically redirects visitors to the archived copy. When no archive exists, it creates a new snapshot to store the page for future access.
The plugin also archives your own content. Each time a post is updated, it saves a snapshot, building a long-term record of changes. If the original external link starts working again, the plugin stops redirecting and restores the live link.
Why Automattic Built this Plugin?
Automattic says broken links slowly erode trust and usefulness across the web. Readers expect content to work, even years after it is published.
By working with the Internet Archive, Automattic brings long-term web preservation directly into WordPress. The Wayback Machine has archived the web since 1996, and this plugin extends that mission to everyday publishers.
What Does This Mean for WordPress Site Owners?
With this plugin, site owners no longer need to manually check or fix broken links. Content stays readable, sources remain accessible, and readers avoid frustrating errors. The plugin protects both new and old posts without changing how writers publish content. It also helps maintain credibility by preserving references that would otherwise disappear.
Plugin Availability and Access
You can download the Wayback Machine Link Fixer from WordPress.org. The plugin is free to use, open source, and available to all WordPress site owners without restrictions.
Once installed, you don’t need to configure complex settings or change how you publish content. The plugin runs quietly in the background, helping you protect links while you stay focused on writing and publishing.
Automattic says the goal is to reduce the ongoing effort of link maintenance. By handling broken links automatically, the plugin helps keep your content reliable over time without adding extra work to your workflow.
Conclusion
Broken links slowly weaken content, trust, and the reader experience. With this plugin, you no longer lose valuable context when pages disappear.
This new plugin lets you protect your links without extra work. Your content stays useful, your readers avoid dead ends, and your site becomes more reliable over time.
By working with the Internet Archive, Automattic brings long-term web preservation directly into WordPress. For site owners, this means fewer broken links and stronger content that lasts.
FAQs
What problem does the Wayback Machine Link Fixer solve?
It solves link rot. When external pages go offline, the plugin redirects visitors to archived versions instead of showing broken links.
Do you need to manage links manually after installing the plugin?
No. The plugin works automatically in the background. You write and publish as usual while it handles link checking and archiving.
Does the plugin affect working links?
No. If an original link is live and working, the plugin leaves it untouched. If the link starts working again later, it removes the redirect.
Does it archive your own WordPress content too?
Yes. Every time you update a post, the plugin creates an archive snapshot. This builds a long-term record of your content over time.
Where can you get the Wayback Machine plugin?
You can download it for free from WordPress.org. It is open source and available to all WordPress site owners.
