Do you know that HTTP status codes can make the web experience smoother? Yes! These are “404 Not Found” or “500 Internal Server Error” like codes that appear to give knowledge to web surfers about what is happening while having any issues.
With these codes are your browser’s way of chatting with websites. In this article we are going to discover what they mean and why they’re crucial for SEO.
From “200 OK” to “410 Gone,” we’ll break down the language of the internet. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to decipher error messages with ease. So, without wasting time, let’s dive into this essential guide and master the art of HTTP status codes for a seamless online journey.
What are Response Codes?
Maybe you have seen “404 Not Found” or “500 Internal Server Error” at least once in your life. Actually they’re the language that keeps the internet running smoothly!
You’ll be surprized to know that understanding these codes is easier than you think, and it can actually improve your web experience. So why wait? Let’s break it down:
Informational Responses (1xx codes):
These are like friendly greetings from the server. They let you know your request has been received and is being processed, but the final outcome isn’t quite ready yet.
Successful Responses (2xx codes):
This is the good news! Codes like “200 OK” mean your request was successful, and the information you requested (like that delicious pizza!) is on its way.
Redirection Messages (3xx codes):
Sometimes, the information you requested might have moved to a new location. These codes, like “301 Moved Permanently,” tell your browser to head over to the new address to find what you’re looking for.
Client Errors (4xx code):
Uh oh! These codes indicate an issue on your end. A common one is “404 Not Found,” which means the specific webpage you requested doesn’t exist. Maybe you mistyped the address, or the page has been removed.
Server Errors (5xx codes):
On rare occasions, the server itself might encounter a problem. Codes like “500 Internal Server Error” signify that the server is struggling to fulfill your request. Don’t worry, these errors are usually temporary, and the website should be back up soon.
Complete list of HTTP Status Codes
Here is a complete list of HTTP status codes along with their meanings to understand server response codes easily:
1xx Informational Responses:
- 100 – Continue
- 101 – Switching Protocols
- 102 – Processing
- 103 – Early Hints
2xx Success:
- 200 – OK
- 201 – Created
- 202 – Accepted
- 203 – Non-Authoritative Information
- 204 – No Content
- 205 – Reset Content
- 206 – Partial Content
- 207 – Multi-Status
- 208 – Already Reported
- 226 – IM Used
3xx Redirection:
- 300 – Multiple Choices
- 301 – Moved Permanently
- 302 – Found Previously Moved Temporarily
- 303 – See Other
- 304 – Not Modified
- 305 – Use Proxy
- 306 – Unused
- 307 – Temporary Redirect
- 308 – Permanent Redirect
4xx Client Error:
- 400 – Bad Request
- 401 – Unauthorized
- 402 – Payment Required
- 403 – Forbidden
- 404 – Not Found
- 405 – Method Not Allowed
- 406 – Not Acceptable
- 407 – Proxy Authentication Required
- 408 – Request Timeout
- 409 – Conflict
- 410 – Gone
- 411- Length Required
- 412 – Precondition Failed
- 413 – Payload Too Large
- 414 – URI Too Long
- 415 – Unsupported Media Type
- 416 – Range Not Satisfiable
- 417 – Expectation Failed
- 418 – I’m a teapot
- 421 – Misdirected Request
- 422 – Unprocessable Entity
- 423 – Locked
- 424 – Failed Dependency
- 425 – Too Early
- 426 – Upgrade Required
- 428 – Precondition Required
- 429 – Too Many Requests
- 431 – Request Header Fields Too Large
- 451 – Unavailable For Legal Reasons
5xx Server Error:
- 500 – Internal Server Error
- 501 – Not Implemented
- 502 – Bad Gateway
- 503 – Service Unavailable
- 504 – Gateway Timeout
- 505 – HTTP Version Not Supported
- 506 – Variant Also Negotiates
- 507 – Insufficient Storage
- 508 – Loop Detected
- 510 – Not Extended
- 511 – Network Authentication Required
The Most Important Status Codes For SEOs
For SEO folks, knowing about HTTP status codes is super important. These codes tell if a web page request was successful or not. Getting them right makes sure both users and search engines have a smooth ride on your site, which is big for SEO.
Here are some key codes and what they mean for SEO:
200 OK
- Everything’s good. The page is delivered as expected. Search engines love this.
301 Moved Permanently
- The page has shifted permanently to a new spot. Redirects like this help keep your SEO juice flowing to the right place.
302 Found (Previously Moved Temporarily)
- The page moved temporarily. It is not ideal for SEO as it can confuse search engines.
404 Not Found
- The page is missing. Too many 404s can mess with your SEO mojo. Fix those broken links!
410 Gone
- The page is toast and won’t be back. It helps search engines clean up their index, which is good for SEO.
500 Internal Server Error
- Server hiccup. Frequent 500s are bad news for SEO. Search engines struggle to crawl your site.
Importance of Proper Code Usage
Using the correct status codes benefits both user experience and search engine crawlers:
User Experience
- Proper codes ensure users land on the intended page, avoiding frustration caused by broken links or missing content.
Search Engine Crawlers
- Clear and accurate status codes help search engines efficiently crawl and index your website, leading to better SEO results.
Monitoring Response Codes
Several SEO tools can help you monitor and identify response code issues:
Google Search Console
- Provides insights into crawl errors, including occurrences of specific status codes.
Screaming Frog
- A website crawler that can identify broken links and incorrect status codes.
SEMrush Site Audit
- Another website auditing tool that crawls your site and reports on various technical SEO aspects, including status codes.
In Conclusion
Understanding HTTP status codes empowers you to navigate the web with confidence and troubleshoot errors you might encounter. These seemingly cryptic codes play a vital role in ensuring a smooth user experience and optimal SEO for your website.