404 vs 301 Status Codes Which One Should You Use?

Caught in a quagmire between a sea of 404 errors and a maze of 301 redirects? You’re not the only one. This common predicament has SEO professionals scratching their heads. Thanks to Google’s Gary Illyes, we have an insight to light our way forward.

To dig deeper into this discussion, watch the conversation on Google SEO Office Hours at the 1:09 minute mark.

Unraveling the Jargon: What are Status Codes?

Let’s start by untangling the tech speak. Status codes are nothing more than the server’s way of responding to a webpage request from your browser or bot. They’re the server’s language of communication, telling you if your request was successful, and if not, why.

Here’s how the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) categorizes them:

1. 1xx (Informational): Request processing is underway.
2. 2xx (Successful): Your request hit the mark.
3. 3xx (Redirection): More steps needed to fulfill the request.
4. 4xx (Client Error): Due to a glitch or page unavailability, your request couldn’t be completed.
5. 5xx (Server Error): The server dropped the ball on an otherwise valid request.

What is 404?

Before we dive into the crux of the matter, let’s clarify the essence of 404 and 301 status codes.

A 404 Not Found status code indicates that while the client-server communication was successful, the server couldn’t find anything to match the request. Often encountered when users attempt to follow broken or dead links, a 404 error suggests that the requested URL may be available again in the future, but not necessarily with the same content.

What is a 301?

On the other hand, a 301 Moved Permanently status code is employed when a requested resource has permanently shifted to a new URL. All future references to this resource should use one of the returned URLs. Google advises using a 301 redirect to change the URL of a page as it appears in search engine results.

Now, having understood these definitions, let’s delve into the strategic application of these status codes.

the Fear Around 404 Status Code

Often labeled as an “error,” the 404 status code is, in fact, innocuous. Rather than sounding a red alert, it simply informs you, “Sorry, the page you’re looking for isn’t here.” The W3C and Mozilla Web Docs clarify that a 404 status code doesn’t decide whether a page is temporarily or permanently missing – it’s neutral information.

So, it’s high time we put the myth to rest: 404 responses aren’t evil. They merely inform you that the page you’re seeking isn’t found.

301 vs. 404: Tailoring Your Strategy

Choosing between 301 and 404 isn’t about picking the lesser of two evils. It’s about understanding what these codes signify and applying them to enhance your SEO strategy and user experience. The key lies in understanding why the page is missing.

For example, if two sites merge, 301 redirects can be a good choice to guide users from outdated pages to the new, similar content. But if there’s no relevant content to redirect to, a 404 status code indicating the page’s absence might be more appropriate.

Also, there’s the option of a 410 status code, stating that a page is permanently removed. But remember, Google doesn’t differentiate much between 404 and 410.

Always keep user experience at the forefront. For instance, if you’re merging a smaller, niche site into a larger, diverse-topic site, consider implementing one-to-one redirects to relevant pages on the larger site. For pages without a direct match, you could redirect users to the main category page for that topic on the larger site.

Echoing Gary’s words: your strategy should be as unique as your situation.

Wrapping Up

The quandary of 301 vs. 404 is not about avoiding harm—neither of these is harmful if used in the right context. Rather, it’s about effectively using these tools for a better SEO strategy and user experience, based on your website’s unique needs and circumstances. So, focus less on the dilemma and more on the solution.