Last Updated on September 22, 2024 by Admin
Seeing 404 errors appear in your Google Search Console can be worrying. But what exactly do these errors mean, what is their effect, and how can you properly address them? This guide explains.
What is a 404 Error in the Search Console?
A Google search console 404 error occurs when Googlebot tries crawling a URL on your site but receives an HTTP response status code of 404. The 404 status code signals that the requested page does not exist on the server.
Common triggers for 404s include:
- Deleted pages still listed in sitemaps.
- Broken internal links to removed pages.
- Old URLs are shared online, but content moved.
- Typos causing fake URLs.
Examples of Google Search Console 404 error
There are many Google search console 404 errors, but some common ones are:
Deleted Page Still in Sitemaps
A major source of 404s is having deleted pages listed in sitemaps. This tells search engines like Googlebot URLs exist that don’t anymore.
Removing pages is common after site migrations or content cleanups. However, referencing their addresses in sitemaps keeps sending Google messages behind closed doors.
Cross-checking sitemaps against current active pages and deleting old references prevent tons of pointless crawling down empty roads!
Broken Navigation Menu Links
Navigation menus linking to retired pages are another headache. Again, remodeling sites introduce link rot if menus aren’t fully updated.
Stale menu items redirecting to the wrong pages frustrate both users and bots. Pruning navigation to current pages eliminates annoying 404s.
Old URLs Shared Publicly
URLs to pages get shared constantly via social media, emails, etc. by visitors. If that new piece of content got removed without redirects, anyone clicking those stale URLs fed into an unpleasant “404.”
Set up redirects or customize the 404 page to account for outdated shares. Help users reach active content!
Internal Links to Missing Pages
Review your site content for any outdated links pointing to non-existent pages. Deleting pages without proper redirects or link updates can harm your site’s SEO. Ensure anchor text is contextually relevant and update any broken links to maintain a healthy internal link structure.
Fake URLs from Spam Sites
Spam sites or low-quality directories can create fake URLs for your domain and link to those bogus pages. This tricks Googlebot into crawling non-existent paths, leading to 404 errors.
Just ignore these. They don’t indicate website issues on your end. Focus fixes on links you control.
Impact of Google Search Console 404 error
Getting a lot of Google search console 404 error can cause serious issues for your website. While a few random 404s are no big issue, seeing thousands of crawling errors in your Search Console reports means some bad things might start happening. Let’s break down potential problems step-by-step:
Site Crawl Efficiency
Googlebot has limited time to spend crawling each website it indexes. If it quickly encounters many broken links and “404” messages, Google will assume your site is poorly maintained.
As a result, Googlebot may decide that your website is no longer worth fully crawling. Instead of wasting efforts on yours, it will move on to crawl sites less prone to errors. This can slow down how fast good pages get discovered and indexed from your site.
User Experience
If internal links on your site consistently lead users to “404” error pages, they’ll become frustrated by the missing content. After several failed attempts, visitors may leave your site and turn to competitors with smoother navigation.
Excessive 404s degrade the user experience and increase bounce rates. People expect to find what they click on, and giving them dead ends damages your site’s credibility.
Potential Ranking Drops
Although not a major ranking factor, search engines can view excessive 404 errors as a sign of a poorly maintained or low-quality website. If the crawl efficiency and user experience impact above weren’t enough, this is another reason to fix widespread 404 issues.
Fewer 404s show your attentiveness, ensuring content stays available, which search engines reward with better rankings.
How to Fix 404 Errors in Search Console?
Dealing with many Google search console 404 errors seems complicated, but fixing them is straightforward. Follow this game plan to make 404s disappear:
- Find Affected Pages: Open your Search Console and click “Page indexing” > “Not found.” This shows all URLs getting “404 errors”.
Export the list, so you have all faulty addresses documented in one place for easier diagnosis and management. - Delete Broken Links: Next, scan your site’s navigation menus, post contents, sidebars, and footer for any links pointing at “404” URLs on your exported list. Delete or update them.
Double-check XML sitemaps, too, since they can contain broken leftovers that send Googlebot to missing pages. Every link fixed prevents wasted crawling. - Create 301 Redirects: If deleted pages were properly moved, set up 301 redirects from old locations to new ones so search engines and visitors get seamlessly sent to current addresses.
Permanent redirects indicate the correct page path has changed while preserving link equity/rankings. - Fix Simple Errors: Another batch of 404s may result from link typos or URL structure changes after a site redesign. Double-checking these can reveal minor corrections needed.
- Ask Google to Re-Crawl Pages: After fixing the underlying problems, the final step is to request that Googlebot re-crawl all affected areas. Over time, pages returning 200 success status will replace the Google search console 404 error. Be patient for full resolution.
Conclusion
While a few scattered 404 errors in Search Console are normal, reducing their number through regular link maintenance, accurate sitemaps, and effective redirects strengthens your site’s infrastructure for both users and search engines.
If you need professional assistance assessing and resolving persistent 404s reported in your Google Search Console, the technical SEO expert at AlgoSaga digital marketing company stands ready to help. Reach out today to formulate a custom 404 mitigation plan!