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Broken Pages (4xx Errors)

Broken pages occur when URLs return 4xx HTTP status codes (such as 404 Not Found or 410 Gone). These errors indicate that the requested content is unavailable,

By Seoxpert Editorial · Published · Updated

Why it matters

4xx errors prevent users and search engines from accessing content, which can result in lost traffic, wasted crawl budget, and loss of link equity from inbound links. Persistent broken pages can negatively impact site rankings and user trust.

Impact

Broken pages can cause users to abandon your site, reduce the effectiveness of internal linking, and signal to search engines that your site is poorly maintained. Over time, this can lead to lower search visibility and reduced organic traffic.

How it's detected

Broken pages are typically detected using site crawlers, Google Search Console, server logs, or third-party SEO tools that report 4xx errors encountered during crawling.

Common causes

  • Pages deleted without 301 redirects
  • URL structure changed without redirecting old URLs
  • Products discontinued without redirecting
  • Typos in internal links
  • Incorrectly configured web server rules
  • Mistyped or outdated external links

How to fix it

Set up 301 redirects from broken URLs to the most relevant live pages. Audit and update all internal links to ensure they point to valid URLs. Regularly monitor for 4xx errors using site crawlers or Google Search Console, and promptly address any new issues. For discontinued content with no equivalent, consider a custom 410 Gone response or a helpful 404 page.

Code examples

Apache .htaccess 301 Redirect

Redirect 301 /old-page.html /new-page.html

Nginx 301 Redirect

location = /old-page.html {
    return 301 /new-page.html;
}

Fixing Internal Links in HTML

<!-- Before: broken link -->
<a href="/old-page.html">Product Info</a>

<!-- After: updated link -->
<a href="/new-page.html">Product Info</a>

FAQ

What is a 4xx error?

A 4xx error is an HTTP status code indicating a client-side error, such as 404 Not Found or 410 Gone, meaning the requested page cannot be accessed.

How do broken pages affect SEO?

Broken pages can waste crawl budget, cause loss of link equity, and create a poor user experience, all of which can negatively impact SEO rankings.

Should I use 301 or 302 redirects for broken pages?

Use 301 (permanent) redirects for broken pages to signal to search engines that the content has permanently moved. 302 (temporary) redirects are not appropriate for permanently removed content.

How can I find broken pages on my site?

You can find broken pages using tools like Google Search Console, site crawlers (e.g., Screaming Frog), or by checking server logs for 4xx status codes.

What should I do if there is no relevant replacement for a deleted page?

If no relevant replacement exists, serve a custom 404 page or a 410 Gone status, and ensure all internal links to the deleted page are removed or updated.

How often should I check for broken pages?

It's recommended to audit your site for broken pages regularly, especially after site updates, migrations, or content changes.

Related Issues

Redirect Chains Detected

Redirect chains occur when a URL redirects through one or more intermediate URLs before reaching its final destination. This process increases page load times a

medium
Broken In-Page Anchor Targets

Pages link to #fragment targets that do not exist on the destination page, breaking table-of-contents and deep-link navigation.

low

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