404 page not found: Understanding broken links and what they mean

Optimising content for search is a never-ending task, with research suggesting it can take 3-6 months to see measurable results.

However, some SEO tweaks can deliver instant improvements—fixing broken links and resolving 404 error pages is a prime example.

In this blog, we'll cover what 404 error messages and broken links are, why we see them and the many benefits of fixing them.

What we'll cover in the blog:

What is a 404 page error?
Why do 404 HTTP status page errors occur?
What are broken links?
Why fix broken links?
How to find broken links on your website?
How to fix broken links?
How to maintain healthy links on your website?
HTTP status codes
Frequently asked questions

A 404-page not found error is an HTTP status code that indicates the server cannot find the page you are looking for. The error message indicates an issue with the client-server and can occur for several reasons. We'll cover those below.

Most users will have come across a 404 page before, and if not managed, it can create a frustrating website user experience and harm organic SEO.

404 errors are for website managers and editors to fix in order to maintain the crawlability of their website.

Essentially, an HTTP error message tells you something is wrong with your website. The status code makes it easier to troubleshoot the error so you can fix it and get back to operating normally.

There are a number of reasons why 404 errors occur, for example:

• The links are broken or dead
• A user has mistyped the URL.
• The domain has expired.
• The page has been deleted
• Or the credentials are incorrect

Broken links, also known as dead links, are hyperlinks that point to a page that no longer exists. A broken link displays a 404-page error message because the page content cannot be found.

Broken links are problematic because they frustrate web visitors and damage your organic SEO. They should be a high-priority fix for any website owner.

In addition to the reasons above, fixing broken links on your website is essential for several reasons:

1. Enhancing user experience (UX)

Broken links disrupt navigation, leading to user frustration and a negative perception of your site. When visitors encounter dead ends, they are more likely to leave, increasing your site's bounce rate.

2. Preserving Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engines interpret broken links as indicators of poor site maintenance. This can hinder their ability to crawl and index your pages effectively, potentially lowering your site's ranking in search results. Fixing broken links leads to instant SEO results, such as better crawlability or enhanced user trust.

3. Maintaining website credibility

Frequent broken links can erode trust, as users may question your site's reliability and professionalism. A well-maintained website reflects positively on your brand's image.

4. Preventing revenue loss

In e-commerce, broken links can obstruct the purchasing process, leading to abandoned transactions and lost sales. Ensuring all links function correctly is vital for smooth customer journeys.

5. Avoiding link rot

Over time, external resources may become unavailable, resulting in 'link rot.' Regularly auditing and updating your links prevents this decay, ensuring all references remain valid.

Proactively identifying and fixing broken links is crucial for delivering a positive user experience, maintaining SEO performance, upholding your website's credibility, and preventing potential revenue loss.

The best way to identify broken links on your website is by using an online tool like Insytful. While manual audits are an option, they require constant effort and are time-consuming. Alternative tools, such as Google Search Console or Screaming Frog, can also help locate dead links efficiently.

Sign up to use Insytful to audit your website, to see if your content has broken links.

Fixing broken links is straightforward. Use the checklist below to fix and improve your website's user experience:

Update or replace outdated content.

• For example, if an event has taken place and the event page no longer exists, update the link to an event highlight blog or the next event that will take place.

Update the incorrectly typed URL.

• Carefully check for any accidental typos; for example, missing a forward slash in the URL will cause a page to be 404.

Check your domain health in Insytful, check it has not expired.

• If it has expired, be sure to renew it with your domain registrar.

Replace dead links with updated links.

• Swap out old content with new content.

Set up 301 redirects.

• Set up a redirect to send users to the correct page on your website.

To avoid broken links on your website in the future, website owners can:

• Test links after they have been updated.
• Audit their website content regularly, checking for broken links.
• Use Insytful to check the quality of the content on their website.
• Monitor website updates and check content.

We've listed all popular HTTP status codes and their definitions in our help and docs to help troubleshoot broken links on your website.

Broken links and 404 error pages frustrate users and hurt your website’s SEO and credibility. Using tools like Insytful, you can easily find and resolve broken links, improve navigation, and prevent issues from reoccurring with regular maintenance. Fixing these issues ensures a better visitor experience and keeps your site performing at its best.

• How can you get rid of HTTP error messages, such as 404 page not available?

To get rid of the 404 page not available, you'll need to fix the broken link. Depending upon the error message, it could be an internal or external issue. If the error persists on the web page you're trying to access, contact the website owner to report the dead link.

• Is there any difference between dead links and broken links or are they the same thing?

Broken links and dead links are essentially the same thing. They both refer to links that no longer lead to their intended destination.