404 Not Found Creates Crawl Errors
The most common 4xx error occurs when pages are deleted or moved without proper redirects, creating dead links that waste crawl budget. Monitor 404s in Google Search Console and prioritize fixing pages with existing backlinks or high search volume. Custom 404 pages with navigation and search functionality reduce bounce rates.
403 Forbidden Blocks Search Engine Access
This error prevents search engines from accessing content, causing pages to be removed from search results and losing organic visibility.
400 Bad Request Indicates Technical Problems
Malformed URLs or server configuration issues trigger this error, signaling technical problems that can impact site credibility with search engines.
401 Unauthorized Requires Authentication
Password-protected or members-only content returns this code, which is appropriate for private content but problematic for public pages.
410 Gone Signals Permanent Removal
Unlike 404 errors, 410 codes tell search engines that content was intentionally removed and won't return, speeding up index cleanup. Use 410 strategically for discontinued products, expired campaigns, or content you never want indexed again. Search engines typically remove 410 pages from their index within days or weeks.
429 Too Many Requests Limits Crawling
Rate limiting can prevent search engine bots from crawling effectively, though this rarely impacts SEO when properly configured for legitimate traffic.
How do 4xx errors affect SEO rankings?
4xx errors don't directly hurt rankings but create poor user experience and waste crawl budget, indirectly impacting search performance over time.
Should I redirect all 404 pages?
Only redirect 404s when relevant alternative content exists. Mass redirects to irrelevant pages can harm SEO more than the original errors.
How quickly should I fix 4xx errors?
Fix high-traffic 4xx errors immediately with redirects or restored content. Lower-priority errors can be addressed during regular site maintenance cycles.
What's the difference between 404 and 410 status codes?
404 suggests temporary unavailability while 410 indicates permanent removal. Use 410 for intentionally deleted content to speed search engine cleanup.
Should I use 410 or a redirect for discontinued products?
Only redirect if you have relevant replacement content like a similar product or parent category page. If no relevant destination exists, a 410 is the correct response — it tells search engines to stop crawling the URL.
Can too many 404 errors impact crawl budget?
Yes, excessive 404 errors waste crawl budget as search engines spend time trying to access non-existent pages. For ecommerce sites with thousands of discontinued SKUs, this can meaningfully reduce how often Google crawls your active pages.
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5xx Status Codes
HTTP response codes in the 500 range indicating server-side errors. These codes signal that the server failed to fulfill a valid request, potentially blocking crawlers from accessing and indexing content.
2xx Status Codes
HTTP response codes in the 200 range indicating successful requests. The most common is 200 OK, confirming the server delivered the requested page successfully.
Domain Authority
A search engine ranking score developed by Moz predicting a website's ability to rank in search results. While not used by Google directly, domain authority serves as a useful proxy for overall site strength and competitiveness.
Bounce Rate
The percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page. While not a direct ranking factor, high bounce rates can indicate content misalignment with search intent or poor user experience.
Related Glossary Terms
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