(n.) A colloquial expression referring to the tendency of hyperlinks to "decay" as their destination sites are purged from their host servers. Users experience "link rot" as hyperlinks that lead nowhere, or that prompt "Error 404: file not found" messages.
Link rot is the degeneration of a web page due to the links that becomes invalid. For more information see: Link Rot.
a term used to describe the problem caused by the changing in URLs. Frequently files are moved to new computers, the site is discontinued, or the file structure of the computer system changes. When you click on a link and get an error message that the URL is not found you may have to search for the site by using a search engine. Sometimes the site can no longer be located. Listserv—the most common kind of maillist. Login—the non-secret account name used to gain access to a computer system. Maillist (Mailing List)—a (usually automated) system that allows people to send e-mail to one address, whereupon their message is copied and sent to all of the other subscribers to the maillist for the purpose of forming a discussion group. Modem—a device that connects a computer to a phone or cable line that allows the computer to talk to other computers through the phone or cable system.
Term used to describe the frustrating and frequent problem caused by the constant changing in URLs. A Web page or search tool offers a link and when you click on it, you get an error message (e.g., "not available") or a page saying the site has moved to a new URL. URLs change frequently because the documents are moved to new computers, the file structure on the computer is reorganized, or sites are discontinued. If there is no referring link to the new URL, there is little you can do but try to search for the same or an equivalent site from scratch. (4/99)
Term used to describe the frustrating and frequent problem caused by the constant changing in URLs. Source: Glossary of Internet & Web Jargon
URLs change quickly. The Alexa web navigation service estimates that the average URL has a lifetime of only 44 days. "Link rot" refers to a growing number of broken links on a Web site, and is usually a sign that maintenance of the site is being neglected.
Link rot is the process by which links on a website gradually become irrelevant or broken as time goes on, because websites that they link to disappear, change their content or redirect to new locations.