How to Fix 404 URL Not Found Error in Google Search Console

Have you ever come across a “404 Not Found” error while browsing your website or checking your Google Search Console? It can be pretty frustrating, right? 

These errors pop up when someone tries to visit a page on your site that doesn’t exist. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a seasoned pro, dealing with these errors is crucial for keeping your site running smoothly and ensuring a great user experience. 

Don’t worry, though! I’m here to help you understand what these errors mean and how you can fix them easily. Let’s dive in!

Understanding 404 Errors and Their Causes

Alright, let’s break this down. A 404 error happens when someone tries to visit a page on your website that doesn’t exist. Imagine clicking on a link expecting to find a helpful page, but instead, you get a message saying, “Oops, page not found!” Frustrating, right?

These errors can occur for a few reasons:

Deleted or Moved Pages

If you delete a page or move it to a different URL without setting up a redirect, users, and search engines won’t be able to find it.

Typos in URLs

Sometimes, a simple typo in the URL can lead to a 404 error.

Outdated or Broken Links 

If other websites link to a page on your site that no longer exists, visitors clicking those links will see a 404 error.

Changes in URL Structure

If you’ve restructured your site or changed your URLs without proper redirects, you’ll likely see an increase in 404 errors.

Understanding why these errors happen is the first step to fixing them and ensuring your visitors have a smooth experience on your site. So, let’s move on to how we can fix these pesky errors!

Now that we know what causes 404 errors, let’s get into how to fix them. The first step is identifying where these errors are occurring on your site.

Identifying the Errors

1. Log into Google Search Console: Open your browser and navigate to Google Search Console. 
2. Go to the “Pages” Section: In the sidebar, find the “Indexing” section and click on “Pages.” This will show you a list of pages Google has indexed and any errors it has found.

3. Find Pages with 404 Errors: Look for pages that are listed as “Not found (404).” These are the URLs that visitors and search engines can’t access.

Investigate the Cause

Once you’ve identified the pages with errors, the next step is to figure out why they’re happening.

Click on Each Error: 

In Google Search Console, click on the URL of each error to get more details. This will show you a snapshot of when Googlebot tried to access the page and what went wrong.

Determine the Cause:

1. Deleted Page: Check if the page was intentionally deleted.
2. Moved Page: See if the page was moved to a new URL without setting up a redirect.
3. Typo: Verify if there’s a simple typo in the URL causing the error.

Understanding the root cause of each 404 error will help you determine the best way to fix it.

Correcting the Issues

Now that you know what’s causing the 404 errors, it’s time to fix them.

Redirects:

If you moved a page to a new URL, set up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. This tells search engines and visitors that the page has permanently moved.

You can easily set up redirects in WordPress by using a redirect plugin.

Restore the Page:

What if you accidentally deleted a web page? Simple. When a page was deleted by mistake, restore it. But, ensure it has the same URL as before to avoid any disruption.

Fix Broken Links:

Correct any internal or external links that are broken or mistyped. Update your website’s navigation and other references to ensure all links point to the correct URLs.

Update Your Sitemap

Alright! After correcting the 404 errors, it’s essential to ensure your sitemap reflects these changes. Here’s how you can do it:

• Ensure your sitemap is up-to-date: Remove any URLs that led to 404 errors and add any new URLs.

• Find whether there are any Unsuccessful statuses on your sitemap list.

• Resubmit your sitemap in Google Search Console: Navigate to the “Sitemaps” section in Google Search Console.
• Submit your updated sitemap. This helps Google crawl and index your site more efficiently.

Monitor Regularly

As for now, you should know, that fixing 404 errors isn’t a one-time task. You have to come again and again to check and update any issues. Regular monitoring can help catch new errors early and keep your site healthy.

1. Regular Checks in Google Search Console: Frequently check the “Pages” section for any new 404 errors.
2. Use Website Auditing Tools: Tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs can scan your site for broken links and other SEO issues.

Best Practices to Prevent 404 Errors

With time and experience, you will understand and practice what to do and what not to do to avoid errors.

1. Consistent URL Structure: Maintain a logical and consistent URL structure. Avoid changing URLs unnecessarily.
2. Proper Redirects: Always set up 301 redirects when moving or renaming pages.
3. Custom 404 Page: Create a helpful 404 error page that guides users back to your site. This can improve user experience even when errors occur.
4. Regular Link Checks: Periodically check and update internal and external links to ensure they are still valid.

Conclusion

Fixing 404 errors in the Google search console is essential for maintaining a healthy website and providing a great user experience. By identifying and resolving these errors promptly, you can ensure your website remains accessible and search-engine friendly. 

Regular monitoring and following best practices can help prevent these errors from occurring in the first place, contributing to a seamless browsing experience for your users.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner, error-free website that ranks better in search results. 

Happy fixing!

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