Error 404: how it affects SEO and how to fix it

Clicked a link but saw a 404 Not Found message instead of the page you expected? This is one of the most common HTTP error codes. In this article, we’ll explain what the 404 Not Found error means, why it occurs, how it affects SEO and indexing, and how to quickly identify and fix these errors.

What is a 404 error

A 404 error is like going to a store for a product that’s no longer in stock or visiting a library to borrow a book that’s no longer on the shelf. You know it was supposed to be there, but you can’t find it. The same thing happens on the internet: a user clicks a link, but the requested page no longer exists or never existed in the first place. The server receives the request but responds that it couldn’t find the requested resource.

What the HTTP 404 status code means

HTTP 404 (Not Found) is a server status code that indicates the requested page or other resource could not be found. This response appears when the URL is entered incorrectly, or when a page has been deleted, renamed, or moved to a different address without a redirect being set up.

What a 404 error looks like

In most cases, users see messages such as 404 Not Found, Page Not Found, or The page could not be found. Instead of displaying a standard error page, many modern websites create custom branded 404 pages with a unique design, a site search feature, navigation menu, or links to popular sections of the website.

Why does a 404 error occur

A 404 error can be caused by both human mistakes and technical changes to a website. It most commonly occurs after updating the site’s structure, deleting pages, or incorrectly configuring links. If URLs are not checked after making changes, both users and search engine crawlers may end up on pages that no longer exist.

The most common causes of an HTTP 404 status code include:

1. Deleting a page without setting up a 301 redirect. If a page is removed without redirecting users to a new URL, anyone visiting the old address will see a 404 error.
2. Changing a URL without a redirect. If a 301 redirect is not configured after changing a URL, users and search engines accessing the old address will receive a 404 error.
3. Broken internal links. Errors in navigation menus, articles, or other parts of the website may lead to pages that no longer exist.
4. Broken external links. Other websites may link to an incorrect URL or continue linking to a page that has already been removed.
5. Website migration issues. During a migration to a new domain or CMS, some URLs may change or be lost without proper redirects.
6. Incorrect CMS or server configuration. Misconfigured routing rules, server settings, or plugins can also result in pages returning a 404 status code.

Most of these issues can be easily avoided by planning website changes in advance, regularly checking that links are working properly, and setting up 301 redirects whenever URLs change. This helps maintain smooth navigation for both users and search engines.

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How a 404 error affects SEO

A few pages returning a 404 status code are a natural part of almost any website and usually do not pose a threat to its search rankings. The problem arises when 404 errors become widespread or affect important URLs. In such cases, it is no longer a minor error but one of the technical SEO errors that can affect user behavior, indexing, and the efficiency of search engine crawling.

Impact on user experience (UX)

When users click a link and see a 404 error instead of the page they expected, it creates the impression that the website is broken. Some visitors will simply close the tab, return to the search results, and choose a competitor instead. As a result, the website’s UX may suffer: the bounce rate can increase, time spent on the site may decrease, and users’ trust in the website can decline, especially if such errors occur regularly.

Loss of link equity

When a page with external or internal links is removed without a 301 redirect, some of the accumulated link equity may be lost. Search engines can no longer pass that value to a new relevant page, causing the website to lose part of its SEO potential. This becomes especially noticeable when a 404 error occurs on a URL that previously had high-quality backlinks or was actively used in internal linking. The website may lose some of the authority it has built over time.

Crawling issues

Search engines regularly crawl website pages to discover new and updated content. If crawlers frequently encounter pages with a 404 status code, they may spend part of the crawl budget on URLs that do not provide value. A large number of inaccessible pages can make it more difficult to crawl valuable pages and slow down the process of updating information in search results.

Impact on indexing

Pages that return a 404 status code are eventually removed from Google’s index after Google confirms that they are no longer available. For content that has been intentionally deleted, this is normal search engine behavior. However, if a 404 error appears on an important category, article, or product page, the website may lose visibility for relevant search queries.

When 404 errors do not harm SEO

It is important not only to know how to handle a 404 error but also to evaluate it in the context of a specific page. Not every 404 Not Found error negatively affects SEO. If a page has been intentionally removed, no longer provides value to users, and should not be accessible, returning a 404 or 410 status code is the correct approach. In this case, search engines will gradually remove the page from their indexes.

Regular website audits help distinguish natural 404 errors from those that actually interfere with indexing, harm user experience, and require prompt fixes.

How to find all 404 errors on a website

To identify pages returning a 404 status code in a timely manner, it is worth checking the website using specialized SEO tools. These tools can quickly detect broken links, assess the scale of the problem, and determine which pages require fixes.

The main ways to find 404 errors on a website include:

• Google Search Console – shows URLs with errors detected by Googlebot while crawling the website;

• Screaming Frog SEO Spider – crawls the website and finds internal pages and links that return a 404 status code;

• Ahrefs, Semrush – help identify internal and external broken links and assess their impact on the website;
• server log analysis – helps identify URLs that are frequently requested by users and search engines but return a 404 response.

Regular checks and website analytics help maintain proper technical health, quickly resolve errors, and prevent them from accumulating over time.

How to fix a 404 error: solutions for different situations

The way to fix a 404 error always depends on the reason why it occurred. In some cases, it is enough to set up a 301 redirect; in others, you may need to restore the page, fix incorrect links, or update the website’s technical settings. The table below shows how to fix a 404 error in each of the most common situations.

Conclusion: how to prevent 404 errors

Preventing 404 errors is much easier than dealing with their consequences. To avoid them, you should:

• regularly conduct technical audits of your website;
• check for broken links;
• monitor URL changes;
• properly configure redirects;
• check the website after migration or CMS changes.

If you need a comprehensive approach and want to use your marketing budget effectively, consider ordering website promotion from the internet marketing agency Lanet CLICK. The company’s specialists know how to handle 404 errors, help resolve technical issues, and develop an effective SEO strategy, whether you need promotion for a new website or growth for a resource that has been operating for a long time.