Error 404 (Not Found) is an HTTP response code meaning: 'the requested page doesn't exist'. Happens when a user or search bot follows a broken link: page was deleted, URL changed, typo in address. Shows as 'Page Not Found' or '404 Error'. Not a direct SEO penalty — Google is fine with occasional 404s, but mass 404s on previously-trafficked pages = lost rankings.
Error 404 (Not Found) is an HTTP response code meaning: 'the requested page doesn't exist'. Happens when a user or search bot follows a broken link. Not a direct SEO penalty but mass 404s = lost rankings.
"GET /broken HTTP/1.1" 404.| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 200 | OK. |
| 301 | Permanent redirect — passes link equity. |
| 404 | Not Found — gradually drops from index. |
| 410 | Gone — drops faster than 404. |
| 500 | Server error. |
Page returns 200 but content says "not found". Google treats as real 404.
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