What is a 404 Error?

A 404 error is an HTTP response indicating that the requested webpage or resource could not be found at that URL. Visitors may encounter a 404 after a page is deleted, a URL changes without a redirect, an internal or external link is incorrect, or someone mistypes an address.

Not every 404 is an SEO problem. If content has been intentionally removed and there is no relevant replacement, returning a 404 can be appropriate. Problems arise when important pages disappear unintentionally or internal links repeatedly send users and search engines to missing URLs.

Important removed pages with a clear replacement should generally use an appropriate 301 redirect. Broken internal links should be corrected so they point directly to live destinations.

Monitoring 404s is part of technical SEO and an SEO audit can help identify broken links, missing pages, and other crawl issues.

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Webolutions Digital Marketing Agency

Webolutions Digital Marketing, Branding & Web Design Company.We are a full-spectrum business consulting and strategic growth implementation company. As a top Denver digital marketing agency since 1994, we help businesses across the country identify and effectively bring their unique story to life throughout all communications and experiences, allowing them to grow and scale faster, smarter, and easier. Our streamlined, data-driven solutions have helped thousands of clients gain a competitive edge in their industry, enabling them and their teams to thrive.

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