404 error.

A 404 error occurs when someone tries to access a page on your website that doesn't exist. The server then responds with HTTP status code 404, which stands for “not found.” Common causes include deleted pages, changed URLs following a relaunch, or typos in links. A single 404 isn’t a big deal. However, a missing service page that customers, business directories, and Google still link to will cost you leads.

Here's How Google Handles 404 Errors

Google does not index URLs that return a 404 error. According to Google Search Central, pages that have already been indexed and return this code are removed from the index, and the crawler visits them less and less frequently over time. Google treats the 410 code for "permanently removed" the same way it treats a 404.

This is different from what’s known as a “soft 404.” That’s what Google calls a page that looks like an error message or an empty page to visitors, but where the server sends a 200 code indicating “everything is fine.” According to Google, automatically redirecting all unknown URLs to the homepage can also cause your website to be understood and indexed less effectively. Google recommends using a genuine 404 code for pages that truly do not exist.

What Your Business Should Keep in Mind

Redirect moved pages using a 301 redirect. If a page has simply been moved to a new address, Google recommends a permanent 301 redirect. In projects, we often see that after a relaunch, old URLs from directories and ads lead to nowhere. Learn more in " 5 Common Mistakes in Website Relaunches."

Feel free to let pages that have been permanently deleted return a 404 error. According to Search Console Help, a 404 error isn't a problem if a page has been removed without a replacement. Redirecting to an irrelevant page doesn't help visitors or Google.

Create a helpful 404 page. According to Google, you can also use the 404 code to display any content you want. A good 404 page offers navigation, a search function, and a way to contact you, rather than just displaying a "Page Not Found" message.

Check the indexing report regularly. In Search Console, under "Not Found (404)," you can see which URLs Google is unable to crawl. For instructions on how to read the report, see "How to Use Google Search Console Effectively. "

Frequently Asked Questions About 404 Errors

Do 404 errors hurt my ranking? According to Google, missing URLs alone don't affect how your other, functioning pages perform in search results. They become a problem when pages that are important to you are affected.

Why does Google return a 404 error for URLs that never existed? According to Google, the crawler also follows broken links from other websites, such as those with typos. Google says you can ignore these errors. However, if a link with a typo comes from an important source, it’s worth setting up a redirect to the correct page.

Can I tell Google to forget an address permanently? According to Search Console Help, no. Google will continue to crawl the address for a certain period of time, but with decreasing frequency.

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