SEO checks / Other
Page returns an HTTP error (4xx/5xx)
A page returning a 4xx (client error, e.g. 404 Not Found) or 5xx (server error) status can't be indexed or ranked — as far as a search engine is concerned, there's nothing there to serve to searchers.
Why it matters
Every error page that used to work and no longer does is lost equity — any links, rankings, or traffic that page had accumulated are gone until it's fixed or properly redirected.
How to fix it
- Fix the underlying cause (moved content, broken deploy, database issue) if the page should exist.
- 301-redirect permanently removed pages to the closest relevant live page rather than leaving a dead link.
- Set up ongoing monitoring so new error pages get caught quickly rather than discovered months later.
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