If your website has a lot of 404 errors, you might be worried about how they affect your site’s rankings. The good news is that 404 errors themselves won’t directly harm your rankings. However, how you handle them can make a difference.
Redirecting 404s can be useful in certain situations, like when you have a replacement product. For example, if a specific model of cup is no longer available but a new version serves the same purpose, redirecting to the new product makes sense. But if you only have a similar product, like spoons when a user was looking for a knife, a redirect would only frustrate the user. It’s crucial to offer a relevant user experience, and in such cases, a simple HTTP 404 response is best.
Instead of blindly redirecting, focus on creating a meaningful 404 page. This page can guide visitors back to relevant content or even provide a fun explanation (like why spoons are superior to knives, if that fits your brand). As long as the user is not misled and finds what they need, your site remains healthy.
In short, 404s are natural and won’t harm your SEO if handled well. If in doubt, don’t redirect-just let the 404s stand and focus on providing a great user experience.