When managing a website, encountering pages with 4XX status codes can be frustrating for both website owners and visitors. These errors indicate that certain pages are not accessible or are missing, which can harm both user experience and search engine rankings. This article explains what 4XX status codes are, how they affect SEO, and simple steps to fix them for a smoother browsing experience.
What Are Pages with 4XX Status Codes?
Pages with 4XX status codes are those that can't be reached or found when someone tries to visit them. These errors often happen because of things like page deletions, page moves, or simple mistakes in the URL. When a 4XX error appears, it means that the content a user is looking for is unavailable or the web address is wrong.
Think of it like trying to find a book in a library, only to be told it hasn’t been shelved yet, resulting in a message saying, "Page Not Found" or "Unavailable."
How Do Pages with 4XX Status Codes Affect SEO?
Pages with 4XX errors can hurt a website’s SEO. When search engines like Google crawl a site and find these errors, it signals that the site has broken or missing pages. This can create a poor experience for users who can’t access the information they need, which can lead to a drop in website rankings. Search engines tend to favor websites that provide users with reliable, working pages. In simple terms, 4XX errors are like broken links in a book index, making it harder for both users and search engines to find content.
How to Fix Pages with a 4XX Status Code?
404 Not Found
If the page is still available, fix the broken URL or set up a 301 redirect to the correct page. If the page is gone for good, redirect visitors to a relevant page so they’re not left with an error.
403 Forbidden
If a page is showing a 403 error, check the page’s permissions. Adjust them so users can access the page.
400 Bad Request
A 400 error usually happens when the URL is incorrect. Double-check the URL for typos or missing characters and fix them.
401 Unauthorized
If the page requires a login, either remove the login requirement to make the page public or block search engines from accessing it using a robots.txt file.
Fixing 4XX errors quickly and correctly is essential for keeping a website running smoothly. By addressing broken links, fixing permissions, and making sure URLs are correct, website owners can improve user experience, help search engines find the right content, and boost the site’s SEO. This leads to happier visitors and better performance in search rankings.
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