What is Status Codes?


What You Need to Know about Status Codes

4xx Errors Block Search Engine Access

Client-side errors like 404s prevent search engines from indexing pages. Broken internal links waste crawl budget and signal poor site maintenance, potentially harming rankings.

5xx Errors Signal Server Problems

Server errors indicate technical issues that prevent access. When search engines encounter consistent 5xx responses, they may temporarily remove pages from the index until stability improves.

301 Redirects Preserve Link Equity

Permanent redirects pass ranking signals to new URLs. Proper use of 301s during site migrations or URL changes maintains search visibility and prevents duplicate content issues.

302 Redirects Don’t Pass Full Authority

Temporary redirects tell search engines the original URL will return. Using 302s instead of 301s during permanent moves causes indexing confusion and dilutes ranking power.

Redirect Chains Waste Crawl Budget

Multiple redirects in sequence slow page loads and reduce crawl efficiency. Each additional redirect increases load time and risks losing link equity through the chain.

Status Code Monitoring Prevents Revenue Loss

Regular audits identify broken pages, redirect errors, and server issues before they impact rankings. Ecommerce sites risk significant revenue loss when product pages return incorrect status codes.


Frequently Asked Questions about Status Codes

1. What’s the difference between 404 and 410 status codes?

404 indicates a page is not found but may return. 410 signals permanent removal, telling search engines to stop crawling and remove the URL from their index completely.

2. How do status codes affect crawl budget?

Excessive 4xx and 5xx errors waste crawl budget on inaccessible pages. Search engines allocate limited crawl resources, so reducing error pages improves efficiency for indexable content.

3. Can too many redirects hurt SEO performance?

Yes. Redirect chains slow page speed and may cause search engines to stop following the chain. Keep redirect paths direct with one hop maximum whenever possible.

4. Should I use 301 or 302 for seasonal pages?

Use 302 for truly temporary seasonal content that returns. Use 301 when permanently replacing seasonal pages with new versions, as this preserves accumulated ranking signals.


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Related Terms

IP Address

An IP address is a unique numerical identifier for internet-connected devices, affecting server location and site quality signals.

IP address

Dwell Time

Time users spend on a page before returning to search results. Reflects engagement and content quality, though not officially a ranking factor.

Dwell Time

Information Architecture

Information architecture is how site content and navigation are organized, affecting crawlability, authority flow, and user experience.

Information Architecture

Taxonomy

Taxonomy organizes site content into hierarchical categories that improve crawlability, user experience, and search visibility through logical structure.

Taxonomy


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