Are trying to learn about HTTP status codes and their effect on SEO? Want to understand what error codes mean and how to correctly redivert visitors?

Moz share the HTTP status codes you need to know in this infographic.

Here’s what they cover:

• 200 success
• 301 permanent
• 302 temporary
• 404 not found
• 500 server error
• 503 unavailable
• REL canonical

Check out the infographic for more.

 

In the world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), every detail matters. From the quality of your content to the structure of your website, search engines take into account a myriad of factors when determining how to rank your website in search results. One often-overlooked aspect of SEO is the HTTP status codes your website returns when a user or search engine bot requests a web page. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into HTTP status codes, their significance, and their impact on your website’s SEO performance.

Chapter 1: The Basics of HTTP Status Codes

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) status codes are three-digit numbers that are returned by a web server in response to a request made by a web browser or a search engine bot. These codes provide information about the status of the request and help both browsers and bots understand how to handle the response. There are five broad categories of HTTP status codes, each with its unique meaning:

1.1. Informational Responses (1xx)

The 1xx status codes are informational and are typically not encountered in SEO contexts. They are used to indicate that a request has been received and is continuing.

1.2. Successful Responses (2xx)

The 2xx status codes indicate that the request was successfully received, understood, and accepted by the server. From an SEO perspective, the most important 2xx status code is 200 (OK), which signifies a successful request and a healthy web page.

1.3. Redirection Messages (3xx)

The 3xx status codes inform the client that further action needs to be taken to complete the request. These codes are often related to URL redirection, and the most common one for SEO is 301 (Moved Permanently), which indicates a permanent URL redirection.

1.4. Client Error Responses (4xx)

The 4xx status codes signify that the client (usually a web browser) has made an error in its request. These codes can have a significant impact on SEO, as they often indicate issues that need to be addressed. The most common 4xx status code is 404 (Not Found), which means that the requested page could not be found.

1.5. Server Error Responses (5xx)

The 5xx status codes indicate that the server has encountered an error or is otherwise incapable of performing the request. While these codes are not directly within your control, they can still affect your website’s SEO if they occur frequently.

Chapter 2: HTTP Status Codes and SEO

Now that we have a basic understanding of HTTP status codes, let’s explore how they can impact your website’s SEO.

2.1. 200 (OK) – The Ideal Status Code

The HTTP 200 status code is the most desirable from an SEO perspective. It indicates that the requested page exists, is accessible, and has been successfully delivered to the user or bot. When search engine crawlers encounter a 200 status code, they interpret it as a positive signal and index the page for inclusion in search results.

To maintain healthy SEO, ensure that your important web pages consistently return a 200 status code. Regularly monitor your site for potential issues that could lead to 4xx or 5xx errors, which we’ll discuss in more detail later.

2.2. 301 (Moved Permanently) – Handling Redirects

Redirects are a common part of website management, and they are necessary when you change the URL of a page. The 301 status code tells search engines that the requested page has moved permanently to a new URL. This is valuable for SEO because it allows you to transfer the SEO value (such as backlinks and rankings) from the old URL to the new one.

When implementing 301 redirects, ensure that they are correctly set up to avoid chain redirects or redirect loops. Additionally, monitor your redirects to ensure they continue to function correctly and update any outdated ones.

2.3. 404 (Not Found) – Addressing Missing Pages

A 404 status code is a red flag for SEO. It indicates that the requested page does not exist on your website. This can happen for various reasons, including deleted content, typos in URLs, or broken internal links. When search engines encounter a 404 error, they may remove the page from their index, which can harm your website’s rankings.

To address 404 errors:

• Regularly check for broken links on your website using tools like Google Search Console or third-party link checkers.
• Set up custom 404 error pages that provide helpful information to users and encourage them to explore other parts of your site.
• Consider implementing 301 redirects for valuable pages that no longer exist but have useful content.

2.4. 4xx Errors – User Experience Matters

Other 4xx status codes like 401 (Unauthorized) and 403 (Forbidden) can also impact SEO indirectly. While these errors don’t necessarily affect search engine crawlers directly, they can lead to poor user experiences, which in turn can affect bounce rates and user engagement metrics. Search engines take user experience into account when ranking websites, so it’s essential to ensure that your site is user-friendly and free of such errors.

2.5. 5xx Errors – Server Health Matters

Server errors like 500 (Internal Server Error) and 503 (Service Unavailable) can harm your SEO efforts if they occur frequently. These errors indicate issues on the server side, and they can disrupt both user experiences and search engine crawling. When search engine bots encounter these errors, they may delay indexing or reduce the crawl rate.

To mitigate the impact of server errors on SEO:

• Monitor your server’s performance and resolve server issues promptly.
• Implement error-handling mechanisms to provide users and bots with informative error messages.
• Ensure your hosting infrastructure is robust and capable of handling traffic spikes.

Chapter 3: SEO Best Practices for Handling HTTP Status Codes

Now that we understand the significance of HTTP status codes in SEO, let’s discuss best practices for handling them to improve your website’s search engine rankings.

3.1. Regular Monitoring and Reporting

The first step in managing HTTP status codes for SEO is to establish a monitoring and reporting system. Use tools like Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, and third-party SEO software to regularly check the status codes returned by your website’s pages.

Monitor for:

• Frequent 404 errors: Identify missing pages and address them promptly.
• 5xx errors: Monitor server health and investigate recurring server errors.
• Unexpected 3xx redirects: Ensure that redirects are correctly set up and not causing chains or loops.

3.2. Correct Implementation of Redirects

When implementing redirects, ensure they are correctly set up to avoid SEO pitfalls. Here are some best practices:

• Use 301 redirects for permanent URL changes, and 302 (Found) for temporary changes.
• Ensure that redirect chains or loops are not created. Each URL should have a single, clear destination.
• Update internal links to point to the new URL to consolidate SEO value.
• Test redirects to ensure they work as intended.

3.3. Custom 404 Pages

Create custom 404 error pages that provide a helpful and user-friendly experience. A good custom 404 page should:

• Explain that the requested page does not exist.
• Offer suggestions or links to relevant pages on your site.
• Include a search bar to help users find what they are looking for.
• Return a 404 HTTP status code to inform search engines that it’s an error page.

3.4. Handling 5xx Errors

To address server errors (5xx), follow these steps:

• Monitor your server’s performance and investigate the root causes of recurring server errors.
• Implement error-handling mechanisms to display informative error messages to users and bots.
• Consider using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to distribute server load and reduce the likelihood of server errors.

3.5. Mobile-Friendly and Fast-Loading Pages

While not directly related to HTTP status codes, mobile-friendliness and page load speed are essential for SEO. Ensure that your website is responsive and optimized for mobile devices. Additionally, optimize your page load times to enhance user experience, as slow-loading pages can lead to higher bounce rates.

Chapter 4: Advanced Techniques and Considerations

In addition to the best practices mentioned above, there are advanced techniques and considerations that can further enhance your SEO efforts concerning HTTP status codes.

4.1. Canonicalization (Rel=Canonical)

Canonicalization is a technique used to address duplicate content issues. By using the rel=canonical tag in your HTML, you can specify the preferred version of a URL when multiple versions with similar content exist. This helps search engines understand which page to index and rank, reducing the risk of duplicate content penalties.

4.2. Handling Soft 404s

Soft 404s are pages that return a 200 status code but display content that appears to be a 404 error page. These can confuse search engines and impact SEO. To address soft 404s, ensure that your website returns the correct HTTP status code for such pages and provides a clear error message to users.

4.3. Monitoring and Optimizing Crawl Budget

Search engines allocate a limited crawl budget to each website. To ensure that search engine bots focus on indexing your most important pages, monitor and optimize your crawl budget. This involves using techniques like optimizing your site structure, managing your sitemap, and disallowing indexing of low-value pages through robots.txt or meta robots tags.

4.4. International SEO Considerations

If your website targets an international audience, be aware of HTTP status codes’ impact on multilingual and multi-regional SEO. Use hreflang tags to indicate language and regional targeting, and ensure that redirects are appropriately configured for international visitors.

Chapter 5: Conclusion

HTTP status codes are a fundamental aspect of website management and play a crucial role in SEO. Understanding these codes, monitoring them regularly, and implementing best practices can help improve your website’s search engine rankings and user experience. By following the guidelines and techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to handle HTTP status codes effectively and enhance your overall SEO strategy.

Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and staying vigilant about HTTP status codes is just one piece of the puzzle. Continuously monitor your website’s performance, adapt to changes in search engine algorithms, and keep optimizing for the best possible user experience. In the ever-evolving world of SEO, attention to detail can make all the difference in your website’s success.