A 404 error is a code that tells users the page they want to access cannot be found. This happens when the browser can’t load the page, meaning it can’t find it on the server.
404 errors, while not a direct SEO factor, can negatively impact a website’s ranking on Google.
There are two types of 404 errors: hard and soft. A hard 404 appears both in the browser and in Google Search Console. A soft 404 shows the error when browsing, but search engines return a 200 OK code, meaning the page is technically active.
Why do these errors appear? The most common reason is that the page has been deleted from the server without a redirect. They also occur when changing domains without proper redirection, or if the original URL of content is changed, or if an internal link is typed incorrectly.
It’s necessary to fix and avoid 404 errors, as they harm user experience. Since the implementation of Core Web Vitals, Google pays special attention to this factor. 404 errors hurt Google rankings, but above all, they are the main reason users abandon a site—if someone clicks a search result that leads to a missing page, they likely won’t return.
How to fix 404 errors?
-Identify: The first step is to find all 404 errors on the site. You can use SEO tools like Screaming Frog or Wild Shark SEO, which have a “Response Codes” section to analyze and view all error codes. Google Search Console also provides a report with these errors.
-Redirects: Once errors are identified, set up the necessary redirects. Ideally, redirect users to relevant pages or where you want to drive traffic.
-Reactivate the page: If the deleted page had a lot of traffic and there’s still demand, it’s best to restore it.
-Create a custom 404 page: To meet user experience standards, create a custom 404 page. Use this space to show relevant content and redirect traffic.
