HTTP status codes are responses given by web servers when you try to visit a web page. They let your browser know if everything went well or if there was a problem. Understanding these codes can help you troubleshoot issues when things don’t go as planned and can also have significant implications for your website’s SEO performance. In this article, we’ll explore the most common HTTP status codes, their meanings, troubleshooting tips, and how they affect your site’s search engine rankings.

Common HTTP Status Codes

200 OK

Definition: Everything went well! The server successfully processed the request, and the browser displays the webpage.

Troubleshooting: No troubleshooting needed; all is good.

SEO Impact: Positive. It means your page is accessible and search engines can index it without any issues.

301 Moved Permanently

Definition: The page you are looking for has been moved to a new URL permanently. The server tells your browser to update its links.

Troubleshooting: Update any bookmarks or links you have to the new URL provided.

SEO Impact: Generally positive. This status passes about 90-99% of the link equity (ranking power) to the redirected page. Use it to ensure that old URLs redirect to new ones seamlessly.

302 Found (Temporary Redirect)

Definition: The page you are looking for has temporarily moved to a different URL. The server sends you to this temporary location.

Troubleshooting: No need to change bookmarks; this is a temporary move.

SEO Impact: Neutral to negative. It does not pass the same link equity as a 301 redirect. Use sparingly and only when the redirection is truly temporary.

400 Bad Request

Definition: The server could not understand your request, usually due to a syntax error.

Troubleshooting: Double-check the URL for typos. If you’re submitting a form, ensure all required fields are filled out correctly.

401 Unauthorized

Definition: You need to log in to access this page.

Troubleshooting: Make sure you are logged in with the correct credentials. If you still can’t access, contact the website’s support team.

403 Forbidden

Definition: You do not have permission to access this page.

Troubleshooting: Ensure you have the right permissions. If you believe you should have access, contact the website’s support team.

404 Not Found

Definition: The page you are looking for does not exist.

Troubleshooting: Check the URL for errors. If the URL is correct, the page may have been removed. Try searching the website or using its navigation to find what you need.

SEO Impact: Negative. A 404 error indicates that the page does not exist, which can lead to a poor user experience and wasted crawl budget. Regularly monitor and fix broken links.

500 Internal Server Error

Definition: The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.

Troubleshooting: This is a server-side issue. Try reloading the page after a few minutes. If the problem persists, contact the website’s support team.

SEO Impact: Negative. Frequent 500 errors can hurt your site’s reputation with search engines. Ensure your server is stable and can handle requests efficiently.

Examples

• 200 OK: When you visit your favorite news website and the homepage loads perfectly, that’s a 200 OK status.

• 301 Moved Permanently: If you type “http://example.com” and it redirects you to “http://www.example.com,” this is a 301 redirect.

• 404 Not Found: When you click on a broken link and see a “Page Not Found” message, that’s a 404 error.

Getting Technical

Understanding Status Code Classes

HTTP status codes are grouped into five classes based on the first digit:

• 1xx (Informational): The request was received, and the process is continuing.

• 2xx (Success): The request was successfully received, understood, and accepted.

• 3xx (Redirection): Further action needs to be taken to complete the request.

• 4xx (Client Error): The request contains bad syntax or cannot be fulfilled.

• 5xx (Server Error): The server failed to fulfill a valid request.

Status Code Details

• 200 OK: This means the request has succeeded. It is the most common status code and indicates that the server has processed the request and returned the expected content.

• 301 Moved Permanently: This status code is used for URL redirection. When a URL changes permanently, the server uses 301 to indicate the new location.

• 404 Not Found: This error occurs when the server cannot find the requested resource. It is often due to a broken link or a mistyped URL.

• 500 Internal Server Error: This generic error message indicates that something has gone wrong on the server’s side. It does not specify the exact problem, making it challenging to troubleshoot without server logs.

Conclusion

Understanding HTTP status codes can help you identify and troubleshoot issues when browsing the web. While some codes indicate everything is working fine, others alert you to problems that need attention. By knowing what these codes mean, you can take appropriate actions to resolve any issues and ensure a smoother online experience. Additionally, understanding their impact on SEO can help maintain your website’s search engine performance.