16 HTTP Status Codes and Why They Are Important for SEO

When managing a website, understanding HTTP status codes is crucial for both user experience and SEO performance. These codes inform browsers and search engines about the status of a webpage request. For SEO Experts Dharamshala - Digital Marketing Company, knowing how different status codes affect website ranking and indexing can help optimize websites effectively.

What Are HTTP Status Codes?

HTTP status codes are three-digit responses from a server to a browser request. They are categorized into five classes:

1xx – Informational (Not commonly relevant for SEO)

2xx – Success (Great for SEO)

3xx – Redirection (Can impact rankings positively or negatively)

4xx – Client Errors (Can lead to de-indexing if not handled properly)

5xx – Server Errors (Can damage SEO if persistent)

Let’s explore the 16 most important HTTP status codes and their SEO impact in detail.

2xx – Success Codes: Cool and SEO-Friendly

200 OK

The 200 OK status means that the requested page loads successfully. This is ideal for SEO because search engines can crawl and index the page without any issues.

✅ SEO Impact: Ensures proper indexing and ranking potential.

201 Created

This code indicates that a new resource has been successfully created on the server. It is commonly used in APIs but is less relevant for standard web pages.

✅ SEO Impact: Functions similarly to 200 OK but is mainly useful in structured content updates.

202 Accepted

The request is received, but processing is delayed. The content may not be immediately available for indexing.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Can cause indexing delays if used incorrectly.

204 No Content

This means the request was successful, but there is no content on the page.

❌ SEO Impact: Search engines treat it as a soft 404, which can negatively impact rankings if important content is missing.

3xx – Redirection Codes: Navigating SEO Challenges

301 Moved Permanently

This redirect permanently transfers traffic and link authority from an old URL to a new one.

✅ SEO Impact: Recommended for changing URLs without losing rankings.

302 Found (Temporary Redirect)

Used when a page is temporarily moved. Unlike 301, it does not pass full SEO value.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Can cause ranking dilution if used for extended periods.

304 Not Modified

Indicates that the requested content has not changed since the last visit. Useful for caching and reducing server load.

✅ SEO Impact: Improves page speed and crawling efficiency.

307 Temporary Redirect

Like a 302, but preserves the original request method.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Can cause temporary confusion for search engines.

308 Permanent Redirect

Similar to 301, but ensures that the request method remains unchanged.

✅ SEO Impact: Good for preserving link authority and user experience.

4xx – Client Errors: Harmful for SEO

400 Bad Request

This indicates that the server could not understand the request due to an error in syntax.

❌ SEO Impact: Affects usability and prevents indexing.

401 Unauthorized

Occurs when a page requires authentication, blocking search engines from accessing it.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Can prevent important pages from getting indexed.

403 Forbidden

Means that access is denied to the requested page.

❌ SEO Impact: The page won’t be indexed, which can affect visibility.

404 Not Found

The requested page does not exist.

❌ SEO Impact: Frequent 404 errors lead to de-indexing and poor user experience.

410 Gone

Indicates that the page is permanently removed from the server.

✅ SEO Impact: Faster removal from search indexes compared to 404.

418 I'm a Teapot

Originally an April Fool’s joke, this code has no real SEO relevance but is fun to mention.

❌ SEO Impact: None.

429 Too Many Requests

Occurs when a user sends too many requests in a short period, triggering rate limiting.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Can slow down crawling if search engines receive too many requests.

5xx – Server Errors: Critical for SEO

500 Internal Server Error

This error occurs due to an unexpected server failure.

❌ SEO Impact: Can prevent search engines from crawling and indexing your site.

502 Bad Gateway

This means the server received an invalid response from an upstream server.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Temporary, but frequent occurrences can affect rankings.

503 Service Unavailable

Used when a server is temporarily unavailable (e.g., maintenance mode).

⚠️ SEO Impact: If prolonged, search engines may de-index affected pages.

504 Gateway Timeout

Indicates that the server took too long to respond.

❌ SEO Impact: Slow response times can affect user experience and rankings.

520 Unknown Error

A generic error from Cloudflare or other CDNs when the server fails to provide a response.

⚠️ SEO Impact: Similar to 5xx errors, leading to slow crawling or de-indexing.

FAQs

Q1. Why Are HTTP Status Codes Important for SEO?

A: HTTP status codes affect how search engines crawl and index your site. Proper management ensures smooth website performance and better rankings.

Q2. What’s the Difference Between 301 and 302 Redirects?

A: Fix redirection

• 301 Redirect is permanent and passes full SEO value.
• 302 Redirect is temporary and does not pass full ranking power.

Q3. How Can I Fix 404 Errors on My Website?

A: Fix error

• Redirect the URL using a 301 redirect.
• Restore the missing page if needed.
• Customize a 404 page with helpful links.

Q4. Can 5xx Errors Affect SEO?

A: Yes, prolonged 5xx errors can lead to de-indexing and ranking drops. Monitor your server health regularly.

Q5. How to Check HTTP Status Codes for My Website?

A: Use tools like:

• Google Search Console
• Screaming Frog SEO Spider
• Ahrefs Site Audit

Conclusion

Understanding HTTP status codes is essential for optimizing website performance and SEO rankings. At SEO Experts Dharamshala - Digital Marketing Company, we help businesses navigate technical SEO challenges effectively. By properly handling redirects, fixing errors, and optimizing server responses, you can improve search engine visibility and user experience.

For expert SEO services and technical optimization, contact us today!