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DLDead Link Notes

Redirects, 404 pages and broken links, explained

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  1. What is a 404 error and why do pages go missing?

    A 404 means the server can't find the page you asked for. Here's what causes it, what visitors can try, and what site owners should do.

  2. HTTP status codes a site owner needs to know

    What 200, 301, 302, 404, 410 and 500 mean in plain English, and what each one does to visitors and to search engines.

  3. 301 vs 302 redirects: which one to use

    Use a 301 when a page has moved for good and a 302 when the move is temporary. Here's how search engines treat each one.

  4. How to find broken links on your website

    Three ways to find dead links on your own site without special skills: Google's report, a link checker, and a manual walk-through.

  5. How to fix a broken link: edit, redirect or remove

    Found a dead link? Here's how to decide whether to edit it, redirect the old address, or take the link out.

  6. How to build a helpful 404 page

    What a custom 404 page should say and include, and why it must still send a real 404 status code.

  7. What to do when you change a page address

    Renamed or moved a page? Here's how to set up redirects and update links so visitors and search engines still find it.