Digital marketing term
404 Error
A 404 Error is the standard error code a server returns when a user tries to reach a page that no longer exists or has moved; it directly affects user experience and site credibility.
Detailed explanation
This error appears when a page has been deleted, its address has changed, or an incorrect link has been shared. Because the visitor can't reach the content they expected, bounce rate can spike and brand trust can suffer.
To prevent frequent errors, it's recommended to redirect deleted pages to another relevant page with a 301 redirect, regularly crawl for broken links, and offer a custom-designed error page with alternative navigation for the user.
Search engines also detect these errors while crawling; accumulating too many of them can hurt a site's overall quality perception and the efficiency of crawl budget usage.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a 404 error hurt SEO?
- A small number is normal, but too many broken links harm user experience and crawl efficiency.
- How can 404 errors be prevented?
- Setting up 301 redirects for deleted pages and regularly scanning for broken links are the most effective solutions.
Related terms
Internal links for the topic cluster — read these concepts together.
- 301 RedirectAn HTTP response that tells browsers and crawlers a URL has moved for good, and the new address should replace it. Use it for migrations, HTTPS, and retired pages that have a real equivalent.
- RedirectAn HTTP response that sends browsers and crawlers from one URL to another; permanent (301) and temporary (302/307) codes do different jobs. Broken pages, moved content, and short campaign paths all use this mechanism.
- SEOSEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the set of technical and content practices that help a website rank more visibly in organic search results.
- URLThe full address a browser opens: scheme, host, and path in one string. People share it, crawlers fetch it, and analytics treat it as a page — canonical choice should pin signals to one address.