A good website helps visitors find the information they need without any trouble. But sometimes, users click a link and see a “404 Page Not Found” message instead of the expected page. This can be frustrating for visitors and may affect website performance when important pages or links are broken.
Understanding 404 errors is an important part of technical SEO. By identifying the cause and choosing the right solution, website owners can improve user experience and help search engines understand their website better.
In this guide, Glimmers Point LLP explains what a 404 error is, why it happens, how it affects SEO, and the best ways to fix and prevent it.
What Is a 404 Error in SEO?
A 404 error is an HTTP status code that means the server cannot find the requested webpage. It usually appears when a page has been deleted, its URL has changed, or someone has entered an incorrect web address.
For example, if a blog URL is:
https://example.com/seo-guide/
and the page is deleted or moved without a redirect, visitors may see a 404 error when they try to open the old URL.
A 404 error does not automatically mean your website has an SEO problem. Google explains that URLs that genuinely do not exist can return a normal 404 response without harming the rankings of other pages. However, broken links to important pages should be investigated and fixed.
Why Do 404 Errors Occur?
There are several common reasons why a website may show a 404 error.
1. Changing a Page URL
Sometimes, website owners change a page URL to make it shorter, clearer, or more SEO-friendly. If the old URL is not redirected to the new one, visitors following the old link may reach a 404 page.
Solution: Set up a permanent 301 redirect from the old URL to the relevant new URL and update internal links pointing to the old address.
2. Deleting Website Pages
A blog post, service page, or product page may be removed during a website update. If other pages still link to it, visitors can encounter a 404 error.
Solution: Restore the page if the content is still useful. If it has been permanently removed and a relevant replacement exists, redirect the old URL to that replacement. If there is no suitable replacement, a 404 or 410 response may be appropriate.
3. Incorrect URLs
A small spelling mistake in a URL can lead users to a page that does not exist. Broken links in blog posts, menus, buttons, and other website sections can create the same problem.
Solution: Check the URL carefully and correct the broken link wherever it appears on your website.
4. Website Migration or Redesign
When a website moves to a new platform or changes its URL structure, some old URLs may stop working. Missing redirects during a migration can cause visitors to lose access to existing pages.
Solution: Prepare a list of old URLs and their corresponding new URLs before migration. Set up the required redirects and test important pages after the website goes live.
5. Broken Internal Links
An internal link connects one page of your website to another. If the destination page has been moved or deleted, the link may lead to a 404 error.
Solution: Audit your website regularly and replace broken internal links with working URLs.
How Do 404 Errors Affect SEO?
Not every 404 error harms SEO. The effect depends on which URL is missing and whether the page should still exist.
Here are the main situations to understand.
1. Poor User Experience
Visitors may leave your website if they cannot find the information they expected. This can interrupt their journey and make it harder for them to reach important content or services.
2. Loss of Valuable Traffic
If a page that previously received organic traffic is removed without a suitable replacement, visitors following old search results or external links may no longer reach the intended content.
3. Broken Backlink Opportunities
Other websites may link to one of your pages. If that page disappears, users following the backlink may reach a 404 error. When a relevant replacement exists, a redirect can help visitors reach the correct content.
4. Crawling and Indexing Issues
If important URLs listed in your XML sitemap or linked from key website pages return 404 errors, search engines may spend time checking URLs that should be working. You should investigate these issues and make sure your sitemap and internal links reflect the website’s current structure.
Important: A few genuine 404 errors are normal. You do not need to redirect every missing URL. Focus on important pages, broken internal links, valuable backlinks, and URLs that have changed.
How to Fix 404 Errors in SEO
The right solution depends on why the error occurred. Follow these methods to resolve 404 issues effectively.
Method 1: Use a 301 Redirect for Moved Pages
A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved to another URL.
For example:
Old URL: https://example.com/old-seo-guide/
New URL: https://example.com/seo-guide/
If the new page covers the same topic, redirecting the old URL to the new one can help visitors find the right content and help search engines understand the change.
Remember to redirect to the most relevant replacement page rather than automatically sending every missing URL to the homepage.
Method 2: Update Broken Internal Links
Check your website’s menus, footer links, blog posts, service pages, and call-to-action buttons.
If a link points to an incorrect URL, replace it with the correct working address. Updating the original link is better than relying on a redirect for a mistake you can easily correct.
Method 3: Restore Deleted Content
Sometimes, a deleted blog or service page still provides useful information and attracts visitors.
If the content is valuable, restoring the original page may be the best option. Review the content before publishing it again to ensure that it remains accurate, relevant, and useful.
Method 4: Keep a Genuine 404 Page When Necessary
If a page has been permanently removed and there is no relevant replacement, it is usually fine to leave the URL returning a 404 response. A 410 response may also be suitable when the content is permanently gone.
Create a helpful 404 page that includes:
- A clear message explaining that the page could not be found.
- A link to the homepage.
- Navigation to important website sections.
- Links to relevant articles or services.
- A search option, if appropriate.
- A simple way to report a broken link.
A custom 404 page improves the visitor experience, but it does not replace the need to fix broken links to important pages.
Method 5: Fix Soft 404 Errors
A soft 404 occurs when a page appears to tell visitors that the content is missing, but the server returns a successful HTTP status code, such as 200, instead of a proper 404 response.
For example, an empty webpage might load successfully while displaying a message saying that no content is available.
To fix this issue:
- Check the affected URL in Google Search Console.
- Use the URL Inspection tool to review the page and its response.
- If the content genuinely does not exist, configure the server to return a proper 404 or 410 response.
- If the page should exist, fix the loading problem or restore the missing content.
- If the page has moved, redirect it to the relevant replacement.
Correctly handling soft 404 errors helps search engines understand whether a page is available, missing, or has moved.
How to Find 404 Errors on Your Website
Finding broken URLs is the first step toward fixing them. You can use the following tools to identify and investigate potential issues.
1. Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a useful free tool for monitoring your website’s indexing status.
To check for 404 errors:
- Sign in to Google Search Console.
- Select your website property.
- Open the Page indexing report.
- Review URLs reported as “Not found (404)” or other relevant indexing issues.
- Inspect important URLs to understand why they are unavailable.
- Fix the affected pages, links, or redirects where necessary.
Not every URL in the report requires a fix. First, determine whether the URL should exist and whether it is important to your website.
2. Website Crawling Tools
Website crawling tools can scan internal links and identify broken URLs across your website. They can help you find errors in menus, blog posts, service pages, and other sections.
Run a crawl after a website redesign or URL change, and repeat it regularly to catch new problems.
3. Website Analytics
Analytics tools can help you identify landing pages that previously attracted visitors. If an important page stops receiving traffic or users land on an error page, investigate the affected URL and its history.
4. Backlink Analysis Tools
SEO backlink tools can help you identify external websites linking to missing pages on your website.
Prioritize URLs with valuable, relevant backlinks. If the content has moved, consider redirecting the old URL to its closest relevant replacement.
How to Prevent 404 Errors in the Future
You may not be able to prevent every 404 error, but regular website maintenance can reduce avoidable problems.
Follow these practices:
- Check URLs before publishing: Make sure links work correctly before publishing a page or blog post.
- Update internal links: Correct links whenever a page URL changes.
- Plan website migrations: Map old URLs to new URLs before changing platforms or website structures.
- Use redirects carefully: Redirect permanently moved pages to relevant destinations.
- Maintain your XML sitemap: Include canonical URLs for pages that should be indexed and remove URLs that no longer belong there.
- Monitor Google Search Console: Review important indexing issues regularly.
- Test your website after updates: Check menus, buttons, blog links, and service pages after making changes.
- Create a helpful 404 page: Give visitors clear options to continue browsing.
These practices support better website maintenance and a smoother user experience.
301 Redirect vs. 404 Error: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | 301 Redirect | 404 Error |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The page has permanently moved | The requested page cannot be found |
| Best use | A relevant replacement page exists | The page is missing and has no suitable replacement |
| Visitor experience | Sends visitors to another URL | Shows a not-found response |
| SEO purpose | Helps communicate a permanent URL change | Communicates that the requested content is unavailable |
Choose the response that matches the actual situation. A redirect is useful when content has moved, while a genuine 404 is appropriate when the page no longer exists and there is no relevant replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions About 404 Errors in SEO
1. Do 404 errors hurt Google rankings?
Not automatically. Google generally does not penalize a website simply because some URLs return 404 errors. However, broken links to important pages and missing URLs that should be available deserve attention.
2. Should I redirect every 404 URL?
No. Redirect a missing URL when a relevant replacement exists. If the content has permanently disappeared and there is no suitable alternative, a genuine 404 or 410 response is usually the correct choice.
3. How long does it take Google to recognize a fixed 404 error?
There is no fixed timeframe. Google must recrawl the affected URL and process the updated response. You can use URL Inspection in Google Search Console to check the current status, but requesting indexing does not guarantee immediate processing.
4. Can a custom 404 page improve SEO?
A helpful custom 404 page can improve user experience by directing visitors to useful content. However, the page should still return a genuine 404 status code when the requested content does not exist.
5. How often should I check for 404 errors?
Review important issues regularly and run a website crawl after major updates, migrations, or URL changes. The frequency can depend on how often your website publishes or changes content.
Conclusion
404 errors are a normal part of managing a website, but important broken URLs should not be ignored. The key is to understand why each error occurs and choose the correct solution, whether that means fixing a link, restoring content, setting up a relevant 301 redirect, or keeping a genuine 404 response.
Regular website audits, Google Search Console monitoring, and proper URL management can help prevent avoidable errors and improve the experience for your visitors.
Glimmers Point LLP provides SEO and digital marketing services to help businesses improve website performance, strengthen their online presence, and address technical SEO issues.
If you need help identifying and fixing website errors, visit Glimmers Point LLP to learn more about our SEO services.
Contact Glimmers Point LLP
Website: https://glimmerspoint.com/
Email: info@glimmerspoint.com
Phone: +91 98130-30336
Office: Plot No. 10, 2nd Floor, Jain Nagar, near Galaxy Mall, Ambala City, India.