404 Error

A 404 Error, also known as “404 Not Found”, is an HTTP status code that tells the browser: “The page you’re looking for does not exist on this server.” It’s one of the most common errors users and search engines encounter while browsing the web.

When someone clicks on a broken link or types in a URL that doesn’t lead to an actual page, the server responds with a 404 error. It’s essentially a way of saying: “That page can’t be found.”

What causes a 404 error?

There are several reasons why a 404 error might occur:

• The URL was typed incorrectly (e.g., a spelling mistake).
• The page has been deleted or moved without a proper redirect in place.
• A link on another website points to a page that no longer exists.
• Internal linking on your site is broken due to outdated URLs.
• There’s a technical error in your content management system (CMS) or server configuration.

Why 404 errors matter for SEO

While a few 404 errors are normal and won’t hurt your site’s search rankings, too many broken links or missing pages can negatively affect your SEO and user experience. Here’s why:

• User frustration: If users land on 404 pages, they might leave your site immediately, increasing your bounce rate.
• Lost link equity: If other sites link to a missing page, the SEO value from that backlink may be wasted.
• Crawl budget waste: Search engine bots waste time crawling broken URLs instead of valuable content.
• Negative site reputation: A high number of broken links can signal poor site maintenance to both users and search engines.

How to handle 404 errors properly

The best way to manage 404 errors is to be proactive:

• Set up custom 404 pages: A well-designed 404 page should guide users back to useful content. Include links to your homepage, top articles, or a search bar to help them find what they need.
• Monitor for broken links: Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Sitebulb to regularly check for 404s.
• Redirect where appropriate: If a page has been removed or moved, set up a 301 redirect to a relevant page. This preserves SEO value and user experience.
• Avoid soft 404s: These are pages that look like 404s but technically return a 200 OK status. Search engines don’t like this, so make sure your server returns the correct 404 status code.

Are 404 errors always bad?

Not necessarily. Some 404s are perfectly normal — for example, when a page is intentionally removed and there’s no relevant replacement. What matters is that you monitor them, minimize unnecessary ones, and handle them gracefully with helpful custom pages and redirects where needed.

In short, a 404 error means a page can’t be found — but how you handle it makes all the difference. Good 404 management is part of building a trustworthy, user-friendly, and search engine–friendly website.