What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error is an HTTP status code that indicates the server couldn’t find the requested resource or page. This means the server couldn’t locate the web page or file at the requested address. The number “404” comes from the “HTTP 404 Not Found” response status code that the server sends to the client, usually a web browser.
This error often occurs when a user clicks on a hyperlink to a page or resource that has been removed from the website or server or when the resource has changed its location within a website (a change of URL). It can also happen when a user types in an incorrect URL or when a website is undergoing maintenance.
The links pointing to 404 pages are called broken links.
When a 404 error occurs, the web browser typically displays a message to the user stating that the requested page or resource cannot be found. Web developers can customise this error message to provide more information or suggest alternative pages for users to visit – This assists users in navigating away from the broken page and in redirecting to either a relevant page or back to the website’s homepage.
What does a 404 Error look like?
There’s no exact way a 404 error will appear or its design; this is because, as mentioned, they are customisable by a web developer.
Brands & sites will customise these pages to align with their brand…
Here’s Ahrefs 404 Error page;
It’s common for pages to have quotes such as;
- “The page you are looking for doesn’t exist.”
- “This page looks to have moved or been deleted.”
- “The requested page can’t be found.
Aside from the content and visual design of the page, they are all common in one thing: they return the same HTTP status code, which, in this case, is the 404 Error.
