SMTP Setup Guide for Broken Link Checker Reports

Why SMTP matters

WordPress's built-in wp_mail() uses your server's PHP mail function, which most modern hosts either disable or send straight to spam. Setting up SMTP routes Linkilo's broken-link-checker email reports through a real mail provider so they actually land in your inbox.

Recommended SMTP plugin

We recommend WP Mail SMTP Lite — free, well-maintained, and supports the major mail providers out of the box.

Step-by-step

1. Install the SMTP plugin

• WordPress → Plugins → Add New
• Search for WP Mail SMTP
• Install and Activate

2. Pick a mailer

Open WP Mail SMTP → Settings and choose one of:

• Gmail / Google Workspace — best for personal sites
• Brevo (Sendinblue) — generous free tier (300 emails/day)
• Mailgun — pay-as-you-go, very reliable
• SendGrid — large free tier
• Other SMTP — for hosts that gave you their own SMTP credentials

3. Configure the mailer

Each provider has a slightly different setup. WP Mail SMTP's setup wizard walks you through it; you'll typically need:

• SMTP host (e.g. smtp.gmail.com)
• Port (587 for TLS, 465 for SSL)
• Username (usually your email address)
• Password (often a generated app password, not your regular account password)

4. Set the "From" address

Use an address on a domain you control — [email protected] works well. Generic Gmail / Yahoo / Outlook addresses get filtered as spam from third-party SMTP.

5. Send a test email

• WP Mail SMTP → Tools → Email Test
• Enter your address and click Send Email
• Check your inbox (and spam folder) to confirm delivery

6. Enable broken-link emails in Linkilo

• Linkilo → Broken Links → Settings
• Toggle Email me the report on
• Enter the recipient email and subject line
• Save

App passwords

Most modern mail providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) require an app password rather than your account password.

• Gmail: Generate an app password (requires 2-step verification turned on first)
• Outlook: Account settings → Security → App passwords
• Yahoo: Account info → Account security → Generate app password

Use that app password in WP Mail SMTP, not your regular password.

Test the broken-link email

Once SMTP is wired and the broken-link checker setting is enabled, Linkilo emails you the report whenever a scan finishes. You can trigger a scan manually from Linkilo → Broken Links → Run scan to test.