301 vs 404: SEO Meaning and Practical
Using Examples
Understanding the nuances of HTTP status codes is crucial for effective SEO performance when managing a website. Two of the most commonly discussed status codes are 301 and 404. Is 301 better than 404? When should you use a 301 redirect? Is it better to have a 404 or redirect?
This article will delve into the differences between these codes, their implications for SEO, and when to use each one.
This article will delve into the differences between these codes, their implications for SEO, and when to use each one.
1. 301 vs 404: What’s the Difference?
301 “Moved Permanently” is a permanent redirect from one URL to another. It informs search engines and browsers that the original URL has moved permanently to the new URL.
404 status code indicates that the requested page could not be found on the server. This is a client-side error, meaning the problem is typically due to the page being removed or the URL being mistyped.
Other possible causes of the 404 error are broken links and changes in the page address. Server issues can also cause 404 errors, which might return an error even if the resource is still available.
404 status code indicates that the requested page could not be found on the server. This is a client-side error, meaning the problem is typically due to the page being removed or the URL being mistyped.
Other possible causes of the 404 error are broken links and changes in the page address. Server issues can also cause 404 errors, which might return an error even if the resource is still available.
2. What Do 301 and 404 Mean for SEO?
When you use a 301 redirect, you signal to search engines that the content has permanently moved to a new location. This is beneficial for SEO because this status code passes nearly all the ranking power from the old URL to the new one, ensuring that the latest page inherits the SEO value of the old page. This helps maintain your site's search engine rankings and ensures that users and search engines can find the content at its new location.
404 errors, on the other hand, can negatively impact your SEO if not handled correctly. Unlike a 301 redirect, a 404 error does not pass any SEO value and can lead to a poor user experience if not managed properly. When search engines encounter a 404 error, they may eventually remove the page from their index if it remains unreachable. Frequent 404 errors can lead to a poor user experience, increased bounce rates, and a potential drop in rankings if users cannot find the content they seek.
404 errors, on the other hand, can negatively impact your SEO if not handled correctly. Unlike a 301 redirect, a 404 error does not pass any SEO value and can lead to a poor user experience if not managed properly. When search engines encounter a 404 error, they may eventually remove the page from their index if it remains unreachable. Frequent 404 errors can lead to a poor user experience, increased bounce rates, and a potential drop in rankings if users cannot find the content they seek.
3. When to Use 301 Redirects vs 404 Errors: Practical Examples
3.1. Using 301 Status Code:
1. You’ve Moved Content Permanently: If you have permanently moved content to a new URL, use a 301 redirect to ensure that both users and search engines are directed to the new location. For example, if you’ve changed the URL structure of your site, 301 redirects help maintain the SEO value and user access.
2. You’ve Consolidated Content: When you merge multiple pages into a single page, using 301 redirects from the old pages to the new consolidated page helps transfer SEO value and provides a seamless user experience.
3. You’re Rebranding or Changing Domains: If your website is undergoing a rebrand or you are changing your domain name, 301 redirects are essential for transferring the SEO value from the old domain to the new one.
Common Examples for 301 Error:
Practical Situations Where HTTP 301 Code is Advisable:
2. You’ve Consolidated Content: When you merge multiple pages into a single page, using 301 redirects from the old pages to the new consolidated page helps transfer SEO value and provides a seamless user experience.
3. You’re Rebranding or Changing Domains: If your website is undergoing a rebrand or you are changing your domain name, 301 redirects are essential for transferring the SEO value from the old domain to the new one.
Common Examples for 301 Error:
- Redirecting one page to another.
- Consolidating site mirrors.
- Moving to a new domain.
- Redirecting duplicates of the home page (e.g., from index.php).
- Changing the address of a page.
- Canonicalizing trailing slashes in URLs.
- Transferring a group of pages from one category to another.
- Modifying the page suffix (e.g., from .html to .htm).
Practical Situations Where HTTP 301 Code is Advisable:
- Product Pages: If an item is out of stock and will not be restocked, setting up a 301 redirect to a similar product is beneficial. If no similar product exists, redirect to the category page to which the item belonged.
- Dropped Domains: If you have an old domain with valuable backlinks that is no longer in use, you can set up a 301 redirect to your main site. The critical requirement is that the old domain have a topic similar to the main site.
3.2. Using 404 Error Code:
- Content is Permanently Removed: If a page is permanently removed and there is no relevant replacement content, a 404 error is appropriate. This tells search engines that the page is no longer available, and users won’t be misled by outdated or irrelevant content.
- Handling Mistyped URLs: A 404 error informs users and search engines that the requested page does not exist for URLs that are frequently mistyped or have never existed.
Practical Examples of Using 404 Errors:
- Deleted Content: When a page is permanently removed with no replacement, a 404 error informs users and search engines that the content is no longer available. This is common for outdated blog posts or discontinued product pages. Suppose you had a product page for an item that is no longer sold and no replacement product. Setting this page to return a 404 error is appropriate because it informs search engines and users that the page is no longer available.
- Mistyped URLs: If users frequently mistype a URL or follow a broken link, a custom 404 error page can guide them back to relevant content on your site, improving user experience and keeping them engaged.
- Temporary Unavailability: During site maintenance or when a page is temporarily unavailable, a 404 error can indicate to users and search engines that the page is not accessible at the moment without suggesting it has moved permanently.
- Website Restructuring: While a website restructures, if certain pages are removed without direct replacements, setting them to return a 404 error ensures clarity for both users and search engines.
5. 301 Redirects for 404 Error Pages: Best Practices and Considerations
Using a redirect instead of displaying a 404 page can be appropriate in certain situations, but it must be done cautiously. Ideally, such redirects should be justified and beneficial to the user. Here are a few scenarios where a redirect instead of a 404 page might be warranted:
However, there are risks involved:
Therefore, if you decide to use a redirect instead of a 404 page, ensure that:
- Content Relocation: If a page has been deleted or moved and a new page with similar content is created, a 301 redirect can help direct users and search engines to the new URL.
- Popular Pages: If the deleted page was very popular and you want to retain traffic, you can set up a redirect to a relevant page with similar content.
- Content Cannibalization Strategy: If your site has many similar pages and you decide to consolidate content, redirecting from the removed pages to a more relevant page can improve SEO.
However, there are risks involved:
- Irrelevant Redirects: If users are redirected to a page that does not contain the content they were seeking, this can lead to dissatisfaction and increase the bounce rate.
- Indexing Issues: Search engines might misinterpret the redirects, which could lead to losses in ranking and indexing.
Therefore, if you decide to use a redirect instead of a 404 page, ensure that:
- The redirect leads to a page with relevant content.
- The user experience remains high.
- The redirect is set up using the HTTP 301 code for permanent redirection.
Understanding the impact and appropriate use of 301 redirects and 404 errors can enhance your site's SEO performance and provide a better user experience. Atomseo Broken Link Checker helps you quickly identify pages with errors, including 301 and 404, allowing you to decide promptly which code to use in various situations. Additionally, this tool offers the capability to check up to 1500 links per day for free, ensuring you can maintain optimal site health without incurring extra costs.