404 errors, or “page not found” errors, can affect your site’s SEO and performance. This article will guide you to find and fix these errors. We will use Google Search Console. We’ll also cover the importance of fixing broken links and how they can affect your SEO and user experience.
Understanding 404 Errors
What are 404 errors?
A server cannot find a webpage that a user or search engine is trying to access, resulting in a 404 error. This error may be due to deleted pages, incorrect URLs, or outdated links after a page move.
Why do 404 errors matter?
404 errors harm both your website’s user experience and its SEO ranking. A 404 error can frustrate users and drive them away. Search engines like Google penalize sites with too many broken links. They view them as outdated or in disrepair.
Step-by-Step Guide: Finding 404 Errors in Google Search Console
1. Accessing Google Search Console
To get started, open Google Search Console and log in with your account. Make sure you have added and verified your website property.
2. Navigating to the ‘Pages’ section
- Once in the dashboard, select your website property.
- Click on the “Pages” option under the “Indexing” menu.
3. Identifying the 404 errors
- Choose the “Not indexed” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Why pages aren’t indexed” section.
- Click on the “Not Found (404)” reason to view a list of URLs that returned a 404 error.
4. Exporting the Error List
You can export the list of 404 errors in various formats or get a shareable link. Repeat the same process to export the list of “Soft 404” errors.
5. Analyzing and Fixing the Issues
Review the list of URLs causing the 404 errors and investigate why they occur. Common causes include:
- Broken internal or external links.
- Deleted pages without redirects.
- Incorrect or outdated URL structures
After identifying the cause, take appropriate steps to fix the issue, such as:
- Redirecting URLs to the correct pages.
- Updating or removing outdated internal links.
- Creating a custom 404 error page to guide users.
The Impact of 404 Errors on SEO
Why Broken Links Are Harmful?
Broken links not only frustrate visitors but also impact your website’s SEO. Search engines like Google lower the rankings of sites with too many broken links. They see them as a sign of poor maintenance.
Types of Broken Links
1. Internal Broken Links
These are links within your website that lead to pages that no longer exist. They disrupt the user experience and hinder search engine tracking.
2. External Broken Links
These are links that point to other websites but end up leading to non-existent pages. While they have less impact on your site’s SEO, it is still essential to fix them for a smooth user experience.
3. Broken Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to your site. If these links lead to 404 pages, they can hurt your SEO and user engagement. They will lower your site’s link authority.
Best Practices to Prevent 404 Errors
1. Check links regularly.
Keep track of your website’s links by conducting regular audits. This proactive approach helps identify and resolve 404 errors before they become problematic.
2. Implement 301 redirects
Use 301 redirects for moved or deleted pages. They guide users and search engines to the new location. This helps maintain your website’s SEO ranking.
3. Use consistent URL structures
Make sure your URLs follow a consistent pattern. This will avoid errors from typos or broken links.
4. Encourage user feedback
Allow users to report broken links they encounter on your site. Offering incentives like shout-outs or badges can increase user participation.
Other methods for finding 404 errors
Utilizing SEO tools
Tools like SEOmator’s Free SEO Audit Tool can help you identify broken links across your website. These tools analyze your website’s structure, technical issues, backlinks, and more.
Performing manual checks
For smaller websites, manual checks can be efficient. Review each page’s links to confirm that they all reach the intended destination.
Wrapping Up
404 errors are minor, but they can harm your site’s SEO and performance. It’s crucial to use Google Search Console and other tools to find and fix these broken links. This will maintain a good user experience and improve your search rankings.
Check and fix 404 errors regularly. This will keep your website in top shape. It will ensure a great user experience and a structure that search engines will favor.