A 404 Error occurs when a web page cannot be found on the server, often due to a broken link or a mistyped URL.
A 404 Error, often referred to as a “404 Not Found” error, is an HTTP status code that indicates the server could not find the requested page. This error occurs when a user tries to access a URL that does not exist on the server. It’s named after the HTTP response code “404” and is one of the most common error messages encountered on the web.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 Error is a standard HTTP response code that signifies that the requested resource could not be found on the server. This usually means that the URL entered is incorrect, the page has been deleted, or the link pointing to the page is broken. When a web server returns a 404 Error, it tells the user’s browser that the resource they’re looking for is unavailable.
Why Do 404 Errors Occur?
404 Errors can occur for several reasons, including:
Incorrect URL: Users may type an incorrect URL or a URL with a typo.
Deleted or Moved Content: Pages may be deleted or moved to a different location without proper redirection.
Broken Links: External or internal links that point to non-existent pages can trigger a 404 Error.
Server Misconfiguration: Issues with server settings or domain configuration can also result in 404 Errors.
How Do 404 Errors Impact SEO?
404 Errors can have several implications for SEO:
User Experience: Frequent 404 Errors can frustrate users and lead to a poor user experience. This can result in higher bounce rates and lower engagement.
Crawling and Indexing: Search engines’ crawlers may encounter 404 Errors when trying to access certain pages. If important pages on your site return 404 Errors, they might not be indexed properly, affecting your site’s visibility in search results.
Link Equity Loss: If a page that had inbound links is deleted or moved without proper redirection, you risk losing link equity, which could impact your site’s authority and ranking.
How to Handle 404 Errors
Proper handling of 404 Errors involves several best practices:
Custom 404 Pages: Create a user-friendly custom 404 page that helps visitors navigate back to your site. Include links to popular pages or a search function to assist users in finding what they’re looking for.
Redirection: Implement 301 redirects for deleted or moved pages to redirect users and search engines to the new location. This helps preserve link equity and improves user experience.
Regular Monitoring: Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to regularly check for and fix 404 Errors on your site.
Update Internal Links: Regularly audit and update internal links to ensure they point to existing pages, avoiding broken links that result in 404 Errors.
Check External Links: Monitor and manage external backlinks pointing to your site. If external sites link to pages that no longer exist, you may want to reach out to those sites to update or remove the broken links.
Examples of 404 Errors
Example 1: If a user tries to access https://www.example.com/old-page and that page no longer exists or has been moved, they will encounter a 404 Error.
Example 2: Clicking on a broken link in a blog post or on a social media platform that points to a non-existent page will result in a 404 Error.
How to Prevent 404 Errors
Preventing 404 Errors involves proactive site management:
Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of your site to identify and fix broken links.
Update Links: Ensure all links on your site are up-to-date and accurate.
Proper Redirection: Implement proper redirection practices when moving or deleting pages.
A 404 Error is an HTTP status code indicating that the server could not find the requested page. It typically appears when a user tries to access a URL that does not exist on the server. This error is commonly displayed with a message like “404 Not Found.”
A 404 Error can be caused by various factors including:
Incorrect or mistyped URLs.
Deleted or moved content without proper redirection.
Broken internal or external links.
Server misconfiguration or issues with domain settings.
404 Errors can impact SEO by:
Increasing bounce rates if users are unable to find the content they’re looking for.
Affecting crawlability and indexing if important pages return 404 Errors.
Leading to loss of link equity if inbound links point to non-existent pages, affecting the site’s authority and rankings.
To create an effective 404 Error page:
Provide a clear, friendly message explaining that the page is not found.
Include navigation options like links to popular pages, a site map, or a search function.
Maintain consistent branding to ensure the page aligns with the rest of your site.
To fix 404 Errors:
Use tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to identify 404 Errors on your site.
Implement 301 redirects to guide users and search engines from the old URL to the new or relevant page.
Update or remove broken internal and external links that lead to non-existent pages.
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another. It helps to resolve 404 Errors by redirecting users and search engines to a different, valid page. This practice helps preserve link equity and improves user experience by directing visitors to relevant content.
To monitor and manage 404 Errors:
Regularly check Google Search Console for crawl errors and 404 pages.
Use website audit tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to identify broken links and pages.
Set up alerts or notifications to be informed of any new 404 Errors as they occur.
Yes, 404 Errors can impact search engine performance by:
Affecting crawl efficiency if search engines frequently encounter broken links.
Reducing the authority of your site if significant inbound links lead to 404 pages.
Potentially leading to a lower ranking if important pages are not properly redirected or fixed.
For pages that are no longer relevant:
Implement a 301 redirect to a relevant, updated page that covers similar topics or offers valuable content.
Alternatively, provide a custom 404 Error page with suggestions for other useful pages or a search function to help users find what they need.
To avoid future 404 Errors:
Regularly audit your site for broken links and outdated content.
Use consistent and accurate URL structures.
Update or remove old links, and ensure that redirects are properly set up when moving or deleting pages.
Implement a robust internal linking strategy to minimize broken links.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://seoconsultant.agency/define/404-error/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):404 Error. seoconsultant.agency. TSCA. November 21 2024 https://seoconsultant.agency/define/404-error/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):404 Error. seoconsultant.agency. TSCA. https://seoconsultant.agency/define/404-error/ (accessed: November 21 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):404 Error. seoconsultant.agency. Retrieved November 21 2024, from seoconsultant.agency website: https://seoconsultant.agency/define/404-error/
This glossary post was last updated: 11th October 2024.
I am an exceptionally technical SEO and digital marketing consultant; considered by some to be amongst the top SEOs in the UK. I'm well versed in web development, conversion rate optimisation, outreach, and many other aspects of digital marketing.
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