If you’re a website owner, you might have come across the term “404 errors” in Google Search Console and wondered what to do about them. Recently, Google’s John Mueller responded to a user’s question on Reddit, shedding light on how to approach these pesky 404 errors. Let’s break it down in simple terms:
What’s a 404 Error?
A 404 error is like a digital message from a server to Google’s web crawlers (or even your browser) saying, “Oops, I couldn’t find the page you’re looking for. It doesn’t exist.” In essence, it’s an error, but not one that you necessarily need to “fix.”
Common Reasons for 404 Errors:
1. Outdated Sitemap: Sometimes, your website’s sitemap may list pages that no longer exist.
2. Broken Internal Links: If your website’s internal links point to non-existent pages, it can lead to 404 errors.
3. Typo in URL: Misspelled URLs can also result in 404 errors.
4. Missing Redirects: When you move content but forget to put in a redirect, 404s can occur.
5. Spammy Links: Sometimes, spammy websites may link to pages on your site that don’t exist.
Of these reasons, the first five are indeed issues that need your attention. The last one, caused by external spammy links, is not your fault and can be safely ignored.
404 Errors and Server Responses:
As John Mueller pointed out, if you know that a page doesn’t exist on your site, the server is doing the right thing by returning a 404 response. Some website owners may be tempted to create a redirect to the homepage to get rid of 404 errors, but this isn’t a good practice and can create what’s called a “soft 404.”
Dealing with 404 Errors Caused by Spam Sites:
One Reddit user expressed concern about 404 errors caused by spam sites linking to non-existent pages on their site. Google was requesting them to “validate fix,” but what should they do? Here are your options:
Option 1: Ignore Them:
If the page was never meant to exist, it’s perfectly fine to let it return a 404 error. This is what you’d expect.
Option 2: Take Action:
If you still want to address the 404 errors resulting from external spammy links, you can take action. While it’s not your fault that these spammy links exist, it’s in your best interest to handle them.
Some clients, companies, or organizations will tell you that you have to remove all the spammy links so this is How you can Deal with or remove all the Spammy Backlinks:
Disavow Spammy Backlinks: You can use Google’s Disavow Links tool to let Google know that you disavow or disassociate yourself from these spammy backlinks. This action can help prevent them from negatively affecting your site’s search rankings.
In a nutshell, if you choose to address these 404 errors caused by spammy external links, disavowing these links is the recommended approach. Remember, it’s not your fault these spammy links exist, but taking this step can safeguard your website’s search rankings and overall SEO performance.
In conclusion, 404 errors are a common part of website management. Understanding why they occur and how to deal with them can help you maintain a healthy and well-optimized website without resorting to unnecessary, complex solutions.