HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes are three digit numbers returned by a web server to indicate the result of a request made by a browser or search engine. They tell whether a request was successful failed redirected or blocked and help both users and search engines understand what happened when a page was accessed.

Whenever a browser or crawler requests a URL the server responds with an HTTP status code along with the page content or an error message.

Search engines such as Google rely heavily on HTTP status codes to crawl index and rank webpages correctly.

How HTTP Status Codes Work

When a user visits a webpage the browser sends a request to the server. The server then responds with:

• An HTTP status code
• Page content or an error response

The status code tells the browser and search engines how to handle the response. Correct status codes are essential for proper crawling indexing and user experience.

Main Categories of HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes are grouped into five main categories.

1xx Informational
Indicate that the request was received and is being processed. These are rarely seen in SEO.

2xx Success
Confirm that the request was successful.

3xx Redirection
Indicate that the requested resource has moved to a different location.

4xx Client Errors
Show that the request was invalid or the page could not be found.

5xx Server Errors
Indicate that the server failed to fulfill a valid request.

Common HTTP Status Codes Explained

200 OK
The page loaded successfully and can be indexed. This is the ideal status code for SEO pages.

301 Moved Permanently
The page has permanently moved to a new URL. Link equity is passed to the new location.

302 Found or Temporary Redirect
The page is temporarily redirected. SEO value may not fully transfer.

404 Not Found
The page does not exist. Excessive 404 errors can harm user experience.

410 Gone
The page has been permanently removed and should not be indexed again.

403 Forbidden
Access to the page is blocked.

500 Internal Server Error
A server issue prevented the page from loading.

503 Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unavailable often due to maintenance.

Why HTTP Status Codes Matter for SEO

HTTP status codes are critical for SEO because they:

• Control crawling and indexing
• Signal page availability
• Help manage redirects correctly
• Prevent indexation of broken pages
• Protect link equity
• Improve user experience

Incorrect status codes can cause ranking drops indexing issues and wasted crawl budget.

HTTP Status Codes and Indexing

Search engines interpret status codes as instructions.

• Pages returning 200 can be indexed
• Pages returning 301 pass authority to the new URL
• Pages returning 404 or 410 are eventually removed from the index
• Pages returning 5xx errors may be crawled less frequently

Using the right status code ensures search engines treat pages correctly.

Common HTTP Status Code Mistakes

• Using 302 instead of 301 for permanent redirects
• Returning 200 for error pages
• Redirect chains and loops
• Blocking important pages with 403 errors
• Leaving long term 5xx errors unfixed

These mistakes can negatively impact SEO and usability.

How to Check HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes can be checked using:

• Browser developer tools
• SEO auditing tools
• Crawling software
• Server logs
• URL inspection features in Search Console

Regular checks help identify and fix issues early.

HTTP Status Codes and Website Maintenance

During site migrations redesigns or maintenance correct use of status codes is essential. Temporary maintenance pages should return 503 while permanent page removals should return 410.

Proper implementation prevents traffic loss and indexing problems.

FAQs About HTTP Status Codes