Understanding HTTP status codes is essential for managing your website’s health and search engine rankings. These codes inform search engines about the status of your web pages and play a critical role in indexing and user experience. Let’s explore the 16 HTTP responses and their SEO impact for better website optimization.
Key HTTP Status Codes and Their SEO Impact
1. 2xx (Successful Requests)
- 200 (OK): Content is indexed by search engines without issues.
- 201 (Created): Similar to 200, generally used for newly created content.
- 202 (Accepted): Indicates content is not fully processed.
- 204 (No Content): Treated as a soft 404, content not displayed.
2. 3xx (Redirects)
- 301 (Moved Permanently): Transfers page authority to a new URL.
- 302 (Found/Temporary Redirect): Can dilute page authority.
- 304 (Not Modified): No effect on indexing but helps reduce server load.
- 308 (Permanent Redirect): Similar to 301, ensures URL changes are noted.
3. 4xx (Client Errors)
- 400 (Bad Request): Prevents indexing of the page.
- 401-403 (Unauthorized/Forbidden): Blocks crawling and indexing.
- 404 (Not Found): Signals low-quality content, drops from search index.
- 418 (Teapot): A joke status, generally irrelevant for SEO.
4. 5xx (Server Errors)
- 500 (Internal Server Error): Stops crawling temporarily.
- 502 (Bad Gateway): Crawling temporarily stops due to server issues.
- 503 (Service Unavailable): If persistent, pages may be de-indexed.
- 504-520 (Timeout/Unknown): Slows down crawling and affects page rankings.
Key HTTP Status Codes with Examples
The following table summarizes some of the most common HTTP status codes, their meanings, and their SEO impact:
| Code Group | Response Code | Meaning | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2xx: Success | 200 | OK | Content indexed by search engines without issues. |
| 201 | Created | Similar to 200; useful for new content creation. | |
| 204 | No Content | Treated as a soft 404; content not displayed. | |
| 3xx: Redirects | 301 | Moved Permanently | Passes link authority to the new URL. |
| 302 | Temporary Redirect | May dilute page authority if overused. | |
| 308 | Permanent Redirect | Similar to 301, used for URL changes. | |
| 4xx: Client Errors | 400 | Bad Request | Prevents indexing due to client-side issues. |
| 401-403 | Unauthorized/Forbidden | Blocks crawling and indexing of the content. | |
| 404 | Not Found | Signals low-quality pages, drops from the index. | |
| 5xx: Server Errors | 500 | Internal Server Error | Temporarily stops crawling; affects rankings if unresolved. |
| 503 | Service Unavailable | Can cause de-indexing if persistent. | |
| 504 | Gateway Timeout | Slows down crawling and may result in missed indexing opportunities. |
Examples of Status Codes in Use
- 200 OK Example:
- A blog page that loads successfully and is fully indexed by Google.
- 301 Moved Permanently Example:
- Redirecting
http://example.com/old-pagetohttp://example.com/new-pageafter a URL structure update.
- Redirecting
- 404 Not Found Example:
- A deleted product page results in a 404 error unless a proper redirect is implemented.
- 503 Service Unavailable Example:
- A website undergoing maintenance returns this status to prevent crawler indexing during downtime.
Also Read: Steps SEO Copywriting Checklist
Tip for Better SEO Management
- Regularly audit your website using tools like Google Search Console to identify and fix status code errors.
- Ensure proper redirects (301/308) for removed or updated pages.
- Resolve 4xx and 5xx errors promptly to avoid ranking penalties.
Also Read: Google Products Every SEO Professional Should Know
Conclusion
Monitoring HTTP status codes is crucial for improving your website’s SEO performance. While 2xx codes promote indexing, 3xx redirects must be managed carefully. 4xx errors and 5xx server issues need immediate attention to prevent SEO damage. Regular audits can help you maintain your website’s health and rankings effectively.