Hello all today I am going to talk about the status code. Status codes are three-digit numbers that indicate the response status of a web server to a client’s request. They play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) by providing information about the status of web pages. Understanding and utilizing the correct status codes can greatly impact a website’s visibility, user experience, and overall SEO performance.
In this blog, I am going to explain those codes which I faced when I am working on my day-to-day tasks. Below you can check and understand the meaning of the code.
200 OK:
This status code indicates that the server successfully processed the request, and the requested page is available. It is the most common and desired response for SEO.
301 Moved Permanently:
When a page or URL has permanently moved to a new location, a 301 redirect is used. This status code informs search engines that the old URL should be replaced with the new one, transferring the SEO value.
302 Found:
Similar to a 301 redirect, a 302 status code indicates a temporary redirection. However, search engines may not transfer SEO value to the new URL in this case. Mostly used when a page or website is on maintenance.
308 Permanent Redirect:
Introduced as a replacement for the 301 status code, a 308 redirect indicates a permanent redirection that should be followed by search engines.
404 Not Found:
The 404 status code indicates that the requested page or resource does not exist. It is important to handle 404 errors properly to maintain a good user experience and prevent broken links.
204 No Content:
The 204 status code is used when a server successfully processes a request but does not return any content. It is commonly used for AJAX requests or form submissions.
410 Gone:
Unlike the 404 status code, a 410 status code indicates that the requested page or resource was intentionally removed and will not return. It is useful when permanently deleting content.
500 Internal Server Error:
The 500 status code represents a generic server error. When encountered, it indicates that something unexpected went wrong on the server-side, impacting the user’s experience.
503 Service Unavailable:
A 503 status code is used when the server is temporarily unable to handle the request, typically due to maintenance or high server load. Search engines understand that the issue is temporary.
403 Forbidden:
A 403 status code indicates that the server understood the request but refuses to authorize it. It commonly occurs when trying to access restricted areas or when proper authentication is required.
304 Not Modified:
When a server sends a 304 status code, it means the requested resource has not been modified since the last request. This status code helps reduce bandwidth usage and improves website performance.
429 Too Many Requests:
When an API or server rate limit is exceeded, a 429 status code is returned. It indicates that the user has sent too many requests in a given timeframe and needs to wait before sending more.
401 Unauthorized:
Similar to a 403 status code, a 401 status code requires proper authentication for access. It is commonly used when access to a resource requires user login or credentials.
201 Created:
A 201 status code confirms that a new resource has been successfully created on the server, such as a new page or post. It is useful for tracking the success of form submissions or content uploads.
Now let’s understand some differences in the status code.
301 vs. 302:
Understanding the difference between 301 and 302 redirects is essential. A 301 redirect is permanent and transfers SEO value, while a 302 redirect is temporary and may not transfer SEO value.
503 vs. 404:
Differentiating between a 503 and a 404 status code is important. While a 404 indicates a missing resource, a 503 suggests a temporary unavailability due to server issues.
302 vs. 307:
A 302 status code historically implied a temporary redirect, but some search engines treated it as a permanent redirect. 307 status code was introduced to resolve this ambiguity.
301 vs. Canonical Tags:
While a 301 redirect is ideal for permanently moving a page, canonical tags are used to indicate the preferred version of a page when there are multiple URLs with similar content.
302 vs. Rel=Canonical:
A 302 redirect is temporary and does not transfer SEO value, while the “rel=canonical” attribute specifies the preferred version of a URL, indicating that it should be treated as the primary URL.
304 vs. 200:
Understanding the difference between a 304 and a 200 status code is essential. A 304 means the resource has not been modified, while a 200 indicates that the resource was successfully retrieved.
I have written all the code which I use and face when I am working on a project. Also, I wrote some differences as you already have checked. When I am working on the projects, I am mostly curious about what are the differences between them, so I mentioned all the differences as well for better understanding.
At the end:
I want to say that HTTP status codes are vital for effective SEO. Now you are familiar with the 20 essential status codes mentioned above enable SEO professionals to diagnose and resolve website issues promptly, improve user experience, maintain proper redirections, and optimize search engine visibility. By using the power of HTTP status codes, SEO experts can enhance their website’s performance and achieve better search rankings.