Click here for our complete SEO glossary.
What is a 404 status code? Is it important for SEO? How do you fix it if it’s not working properly on your website? In this post, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and more. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about 404 status codes and how they can impact your website’s search engine rankings.
What is a 404 status code?
A 404 status code is an error message that is displayed when a user tries to access a page that does not exist. The code indicates that the server could not find the requested page. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a user typing in the wrong URL, or a page being moved or deleted.
What are the potential causes of a 404 status code?
There are several potential causes of a 404 status code. The most common cause is simply that the user has typed in the wrong URL. This can happen if they misremember the address of a page, or if they click on a broken link. Another common cause is that the page has been moved or deleted. This can happen if a website is updated and pages are moved around, or if a page is no longer relevant and is removed from the site.
How can you fix a 404 status code?
If you’re seeing a 404 error on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix it. The first step is to check the URL that the user is trying to access. Make sure that it is spelled correctly and that all of the characters are in lowercase. If the URL looks correct, try accessing the page from another browser or device. If the page still does not load, contact your web hosting provider and ask them to check the server logs for more information about the error.
Conclusion
A 404 status code is an error message that is displayed when a user tries to access a page that does not exist. The code indicates that the server could not find the requested page. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a user typing in the wrong URL, or a page being moved or deleted. If you’re seeing a 404 error on your website, there are a few things you can do to fix it. The first step is to check the URL that the user is trying to access. Make sure that it is spelled correctly and that all of the characters are in lowercase. If the URL looks correct, try accessing the page from another browser or device. If the page still does not load, contact your web hosting provider and ask them to check the server logs for more information about the error.

Jamie Fallon is an SEO expert who lives life to the maximum, redlining every day on a rollercoaster straight to the grave.
In an SEO career of almost ten years, he’s seen it all, he’s done it all, and he’s not impressed: from white text on a white background to today, when you can have robots paint or write for you like some kind of sick science fiction come true.
No matter what life throws at him, Jamie always manages to come out on top. He’s an expert at seeing the silver lining in every cloud and making the best of every situation. His positive attitude and unshakable faith in himself have seen him through tough times. For some people, success goes to their heads; but Jamie never forgets what got him to wherever he thinks he is.
When he’s not busy gaming the system, you can find him writing angry thinkpieces on how Google is ruining everything good about the internet, or hanging out with his wife (pictured).