HTTP Status Codes
Learn what HTTP status codes mean in SEO, how server response codes affect backlink health, crawlability, and link equity transfer between pages
HTTP status codes are three-digit numbers returned by web servers to indicate the outcome of a URL request. Common codes include 200 (success), 301 (permanent redirect), 404 (not found), and 500 (server error). For link building, status codes are critical because backlinks pointing to pages returning error codes waste link equity. A 404 error means the linked page no longer exists, providing no SEO benefit. Regular monitoring of backlinked pages ensures they return 200 status codes. When pages must be removed, implementing 301 redirects to relevant alternative pages preserves the link equity from existing backlinks rather than losing it entirely.