HTTP status codes are an essential aspect of SEO.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) status code tells the browser what happened after you made a request. By checking the HTTP status code, you can ensure that your website is running smoothly and that there are no issues to fix.
This post will explain everything you need to know about HTTP status codes, their importance, and how you can use them to improve your website’s ranking in search engines.
What are HTTP status codes?
When you request a web server, the server responds with an HTTP status code. The HTTP response code indicates whether or not the request was successful. They are returned by a server when a client makes a request.
An essential part of web development is understanding the server response, specifically the ones that come in the form of status codes. They are numerical response codes that indicate whether a client’s request was successful.
While it is not required to understand them for every web development project, it is still great to have a basic understanding of the status message. This way, if something goes wrong, you will at least know what might be causing the issue.
HTTP response status codes are essential for both clients and servers. They provide information about the request’s status and can help debug problems. For example, if a client receives a 404, it knows that the requested information was not found and can take appropriate action. Similarly, if a server receives a 500, it knows there was an error on the server side and can take appropriate action.
Types of Status Codes
1xx: Information
The status code’s 1xx (Informational) class indicates a provisional response. This response code class tells that the user agent must take further action to fulfill the request. The user agent may carry the required action without the user’s interaction if and only if the method for the second request is GET or HEAD. The client should continue with its request. A client SHOULD detect infinite redirection loops since such loops generate network traffic for each redirection.
2xx: Successful
2xx status codes are a class of successful HTTP status codes that indicate the server is successfully handling the client’s request – received, understood, and accepted.
3xx: Redirection
3xx is a class of HTTP status codes that represents redirects. These indicate that the client should take additional action to complete their request. Knowing 3xx codes and how they can affect your website’s ranking is essential for SEO purposes.
A temporary redirect can use the same URL or temporary URL, while a permanent one uses a different URL or a new URL.
4xx: Client Error
4xx are client error codes that indicate that the client has made a not valid request. It is usually a mistyped URL or a missing parameter.
You can use this status code to indicate that the client has made a mistake in its request, such as requesting a page that does not exist or trying to access an unallowed resource.
5xx: Server Error
The 5xx status code is an HTTP status code that indicates the server could not process the request due to an error. Server errors, such as a misconfigured server or an overloaded server, are the usual causes.
While 5xx are not mentioned explicitly in Google Search Console Help documentation, it can still impact your website’s SEO. It can significantly impact your website’s traffic and revenue negatively. If your website is returning 5xx status codes, likely, that Google and other search engines are not indexing your website.
Why is HTTP status code important for SEO?
There are a few reasons why the status code of a page is vital for SEO.
First, it can give search engines a clue as to whether a page is active or not. For example, if a page returns a 404 Not Found error, it’s likely that the page no longer exists, and shouldn’t be indexed.
Additionally, it can provide information on whether the content of a page is in a new location. If a page returns a 301 Moved Permanently status, search engines will know to update their records and index the page’s new location. It is important because if a page’s content has moved, but the search engine still has the old page indexed, users will end up at a dead end when they try to visit the page.
In short, it can give search engines valuable information about whether or not to index a page and where is the location of its content. It helps ensure that users find the right content when searching for it.
HTTP status code not only helps search engines but also impacts user experience. Appropriate error handling and displaying meaningful error messages can help users understand the issue and find a solution, ultimately improving their overall experience with the website or application.
For example, a 401 Unauthorized error can be displayed with a message like “Please check your login credentials or authorization.”
Important HTTP status codes for SEO
You should be aware of different SEO HTTP status codes. They are a part of the HTTP header that indicates the status of the HTTP request or response. Here is a brief overview of each:
Status Code 200: OK / Success
200 represents a successful response- a received request and successful processing. 200 results from a successful GET, POST, or PUT request.
The 200 is essential for SEO because it is one of the indicators that search engines use to determine if a page is valid and should be indexed. If your pages return 200, it indicates that they are working correctly and can display the content. If your pages are not returning 200, it may mean something wrong with them, and search engines may not index them.
Status Code 301: Moved Permanently
A 301 indicates a permanently moved page to a new location. It is the most common permanent redirect type when a website changes its domain name or moves to a new server.
When a search engine crawls a website with a 301 redirect in place, it will update its records to reflect the page’s new location. It is essential for SEO because it ensures that your website’s pages will be indexed correctly and the link juice of the page will be passed on to the new location.
Status Code 302: Temporary Redirect
A 302 indicates a temporarily moved page to a new location. You can use this type of redirect when a website is undergoing maintenance or experiencing some issues.
When a search engine crawls a website with a 302 redirect in place, it will not update its records to reflect the page’s new location. It means that your website’s pages may not be indexed correctly, and your website’s link juice will not be passed on to the new location. It can hurt your website’s SEO because it can be ranked lower in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Status Code 404: Not Found
404 occurs when a user tries to access a resource that doesn’t exist on the server.
The 404, also known as a “Not Found” error, means that search engine crawlers could not find the web page you are looking for. It is usually due to a broken link or a typo in the URL.
The 404 status code can hurt your website’s SEO because it shows search engines that it is unreliable. It can lead to less traffic and potential customers for your business. When a website has a 404 error message, it will mark your site as unreliable and not rank it as high in the SERPs.
Status Code 410: Gone
Status code 410, also known as “Gone,” indicates that the requested resource is no longer available at the server with no forwarding address known. This status code differs from a 404 error, which suggests the resource is temporarily unavailable.
A 410 status code is considered more specific and is used when the URL is purposefully gone forever. It signals search engines that the page will not return, so the search engine may choose to de-index the content immediately. Using this status code speeds up the process of Google removing a web page from their index, which can be especially useful after a malware intrusion or when dealing with outdated or irrelevant content.
Status Code 500: Internal Server Error
The 500 status code indicates that there was an internal server error. It can be by several things, such as a misconfigured server or a problem with the code itself. You can use this status code when there are server or site errors.
If your website is returning a 500 status code, it’s essential to fix the error as soon as possible. Not only will this improve the user experience on your site, but it can also help you avoid any potential SEO penalties.
Status Code 503: Service Unavailable
503 indicates a currently unavailable server. It could be due to maintenance or a temporary issue.
The 503 status code is essential for SEO because it can indicate to search engines that a website is unavailable. If a website is returning a 503 status code, the website may not be crawled or indexed by the search engine. It can hurt the website’s visibility and traffic.
List of Other HTTP Status Codes
Aside from the important HTTP status code SEO, there are other codes that you may encounter when working with websites or applications. It includes HTTP 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, and 5xx status codes.
HTTP 1xx Status Code:
| Status Code | Indication | Usage |
| 100 | Initial part of the request has been received, and the client should continue with the rest of the request. | To keep a connection open when further data is expected from the server |
| 101 | The server is switching protocols according to the Upgrade header field. | When the server agrees to switch protocols as indicated by the client’s request |
| 102 | The server is still processing the request. | When the server is temporarily unable to process the request due to a temporary overloading or maintenance of the server. |
| 103 | The server has received and processing the request. | When the server is still processing the request but does not yet have a response ready. |
HTTP 2xx Status Code:
| Status Code | Indication | Usage |
| 201 | The request was successful, and a new resource was created. | When a new document or page is created on a website. |
| 202 | The request was successful, but the information is not yet available. | When the server is still processing the request and does not yet have a response ready. |
| 203 | The request was successful, but the information in the response may not be accurate. | When caching information from a server. |
| 204 | The request was successful, but there is no information to return. | When a request is made for a resource that does not exist. |
| 205 | The request was successful, but the information in the response has been reset. | When a form is reset after it has been submitted. |
| 206 | The request was successful, and the information in the response is partial. | When a request is made for only a portion of a resource, such as when streaming video or audio. |
| 207 | The request was successful, and multiple resources were created. | When multiple resources are created from a single request, such as when creating multiple documents from a template. |
| 208 | The request was successful, but the information in the response has been previously provided. | To avoid duplication of information when multiple requests are made for the same resource. |
| 226 | The request was successful, and the information in the response is a representation of the current state of the resource. | When making HEAD or GET requests for a resource where it is important to have an up-to-date representation of the current state of the resource. |
HTTP 3xx Status Code:
| Status Code | Indication | Usage |
| 300 | There are multiple options for the requested resource. | When there are multiple representations of a resource, such as when different formats or languages are availble. |
| 304 | A resource has not been modified since the last time it was requested. | To improve performance by caching resources that have not been modified. |
HTTP 4xx Status Code:
| Status Code | Indication | Usage |
| 401 | The request requires authentication. | When there is a problem with the provided credentials or if the user does not have access to the requested resource. |
| 403 | The request was forbidden. | When the user does not have permission to access the requested resource. |
| 404 | The requested resource could not be found. | When a page has been deleted or moved to a new location. |
HTTP 5xx Status Code:
| Status Code | Indication | Usage |
| 502 | There is a bad gateway. | When there’s problem with the network or with the connection to the server. |
| 504 | The gateway is timed out. | When there’s a problem with the network or with the connection to the server. |
HTTP Status Codes Best Practices for SEO Excellence
As a website owner or developer, it’s important to regularly monitor and analyze status codes to address errors and ensure optimal performance.
Regularly monitoring status codes helps identify and address any potential issues that may arise. By doing so, website owners can ensure a well-functioning website and provide a positive user experience. If left unchecked, HTTP status code errors can lead to broken links, slow loading times, and negatively impact search engine rankings.
Early detection of problems leads to faster resolution and less impact on users. It also helps identify patterns or trends indicating a larger issue, allowing for proactive measures.
Tools for Checking HTTP Status Codes
Thankfully, several tools are available, including built-in browser tools, browser plugins, and web-based header fetching tools.
To check HTTP status codes in a browser, you can use built-in tools such as Chrome DevTools, Firefox Inspector, Safari Web Inspector, or Edge Developer Tools. You can also use browser plugins like Redirect Path for Google Chrome.
Here’s a guide for checking the HTTP status code in Chrome (most steps will be similar in other browsers):
- Open the URL you want to check using your Chrome browser.
- Access the Developer tab by pressing F12, and navigate to the “Network” tab.
- Refresh the page.
- Scroll to the top of the list of requests and locate the first one labeled “document.”
- In the “Status” column, you will find the HTTP response code.
Another tool for checking HTTP status codes is Google Search Console’s URL Inspection feature, which allows you to request the HTTP status code of a URL.
Additionally, you can use web-based header fetching tools like Web Sniffer or HTTPStatus to check HTTP status codes. You can also use tools like Jet Octopus or Screaming Frog to check the response status of several pages at once.
Conclusion
HTTP status codes are essential in website development and maintenance. Each status code has a different meaning and can impact your website’s SEO differently. Awareness of these and how they can affect your website and overall SEO is essential.
SEO excellence constantly strives for improvement, monitoring and addressing status code errors, and following best practices can ensure optimal search engine rankings, user experience, and website performance.
