Pages Return 4xx Status Code

What is the "4XX Status Code" Issue in SEMrush, and How Can You Fix It?

If you've encountered the "Pages Returned 4XX Status Code" error in your SEMrush audit, you might be wondering what it means and how it impacts your website. In this post, we’ll break down what a 4XX error is, why it’s significant for SEO, and the steps to take to fix it.

What Are 4XX Status Codes?

When you see this 4XX error in SEMrush, it generally means that there’s a page on your website returning an error code in the 400 range. This could be a:

400 (Bad Request)
401 (Unauthorized)
402 (Payment Required)
403 (Forbidden)
404 (Not Found)

In 99.9% of cases, the 4XX code refers to a 404 error, meaning that the page you’re trying to access no longer exists. You've probably seen a 404 error page; it’s a message that the content you're looking for is gone.

Why Do You See This Error in SEMrush?

The 4XX error in SEMrush typically appears when one page on your website links to another page that doesn’t exist anymore. This might happen for a few reasons:

URL Changes – You may have changed the page’s URL without updating internal links.
Page Set to Draft – You might have taken a page offline temporarily.
Page Removed – You deleted a page without redirecting or updating links to it.

In any case, these situations result in a broken link – one page on your site pointing to a missing page.

Why Are 4XX Errors Important for SEO?

Broken links hurt user experience, which is one of Google's top priorities. Imagine visiting a website, clicking on a link, and being met with a 404 error. It’s frustrating, right? Google recognizes that frustration and sees 4XX errors as red flags. Too many broken links may signal to Google that your site isn’t well-maintained, potentially impacting your rankings.

How to Fix the 4XX Status Code Error

When fixing this issue, it’s essential to address the root cause: broken internal links. In most cases, if you see the 4XX status code error, you’ll also see an error labeled “Internal Links Are Broken.”

Here's what you should do:

Identify Broken Links: In SEMrush, look for the “Internal Links Are Broken” issue. This will show you all the broken internal links on your site.
Update or Remove Links: For each broken link, decide if you need to:
- Update it to a new URL if the content has moved.
- Remove it if the content is no longer relevant.
Redirect If Necessary: For pages that have moved to a new URL, consider setting up a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one.

Once you fix the broken internal links, the 4XX status code issue should resolve automatically.

Next Steps

If you encounter both the “4XX Status Code” and “Internal Links Are Broken” issues, start by fixing the internal links. This not only helps your SEO but also improves the user experience on your site.

Keeping your links updated and your website error-free will ensure a smooth experience for both users and search engines, helping your site stay strong in search rankings.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to resolving the 4XX status code issue, enhancing user experience, and supporting your SEO efforts.