Definition
4xx Status Codes are HTTP response codes that indicate a client error, meaning the server was unable to process the request due to issues such as a missing, forbidden, or invalid page. These codes inform both users and search engine crawlers that the requested content cannot be accessed.
What is it?
The 4xx range includes several specific error codes, most notably 404 (Not Found), which signals that the page no longer exists or has been moved without a proper redirect, and 410 (Gone), which indicates that a page has been intentionally removed. Other codes like 400 (Bad Request) or 403 (Forbidden) provide different insights into why a request failed. Overall, 4xx errors suggest that the issue lies on the client side, whether due to a mistyped URL, outdated links, or restricted access.
How is it used?
Webmasters monitor 4xx Status Codes to ensure that broken links and missing pages are identified and addressed promptly. A custom 404 error page can be designed to guide users back to useful content, thereby reducing bounce rates and improving user experience. Additionally, regularly auditing these errors through tools like Google Search Console helps maintain website health, as an excessive number of 4xx errors may hinder user navigation and negatively impact SEO performance.
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