Introduction
The "Not Found (404)" message in Google Search Console indicates that Google tried to crawl a URL on your website, but the page returned a 404 error, meaning it could not be found. While occasional 404 errors are normal, frequent occurrences can harm your site’s SEO and user experience by signaling that your website contains broken links or missing content.
This article will explain what causes 404 errors, common scenarios in Newsifier, and the steps you can take to resolve them.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates the server could not find the requested page. While it doesn't mean the server is down or broken, it does signal that the specific URL doesn’t have any content available. Google tracks these errors to monitor your site's health, as unresolved 404 errors can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
Should I Be Concerned About This Message?
Normal Scenarios: A few 404 errors are expected when managing a site with frequently updated content. For example, pages that are intentionally removed or updated without impacting critical content.
When to Act: If you see a high number of 404 errors or if important pages are affected, it’s essential to investigate and resolve the issue to avoid harming SEO and user experience.
Common 404 Error Scenarios in Newsifier
Deleted or Removed Articles: When you delete an article without setting up a redirect, Google may continue to try crawling the old URL, leading to a 404 error. This is common for outdated or irrelevant content that has been removed.
URL Changes Without Redirects: If you change the URL of an article—such as renaming it for SEO purposes—without implementing a redirect, visitors and search engines accessing the old URL will encounter a 404 error.
Typos in Internal Links: Mistyped internal links can cause Google to crawl non-existent URLs, leading to unnecessary 404 errors.
What Actions Should You Take?
Set Up Redirects for Deleted or Moved Pages
Use a 301 redirect to guide both users and search engines from the old URL to the correct page.
Redirects preserve link equity and help prevent users from landing on error pages.
Regularly Check and Fix Broken Links
Use Google Search Console or other tools to identify broken links on your site.
Fix internal links that point to non-existent URLs or remove them if they are unnecessary.
Review Changes in URL Structure
Ensure that any changes to your URL structure (e.g., renaming articles or categories) are accompanied by appropriate redirects.
Double-check internal and external links to ensure they point to the updated URLs.
FAQs
Why does Google show 404 errors?
Answer: Google reports 404 errors when it attempts to crawl a URL that doesn’t exist. This can happen when pages are deleted, moved without a redirect, or linked with typos. While a few errors are normal, too many can harm your SEO and user experience.
Should I be worried about a few 404 errors?
Answer: No, a small number of 404 errors are not a cause for concern. However, if you see a significant increase or critical pages are affected, it’s essential to investigate and resolve the issues.