HTTP status codes are responses from a server to a request made by a browser. They indicate whether a page loads correctly, is redirected, or returns an error message. For SEO and website management, it’s essential to understand what these codes mean — they help you diagnose issues and ensure search engines index your site correctly.
What is an HTTP status code?
An HTTP status code is a three-digit response code sent by your web server when a page is requested. Although visitors usually don’t see these codes, they are essential for search engines like Google. They affect crawlability, indexation, and user experience.
Each status code begins with a number from 1 to 5, which indicates the class of the response. For example:
| Status | Meaning |
| 1xx | Informational response |
| 2xx | Successful processing |
| 3xx | Redirects |
| 4xx | Client-side error |
| 5xx | Server error |
Types of HTTP Status Codes
Below is an overview of the most relevant HTTP status codes for SEO and website management. Each code affects how your pages are displayed and discovered.
HTTP status code 200 – Page functioning correctly
This is the ideal status code for your page. A 200 HTTP status code indicates that your page is working properly. Visitors, bots, and links can access the page without issues. If your page returns a 200 status code, there’s nothing you need to change.
HTTP status code 301 – Permanent redirect
A 301 status code means that a URL has been permanently redirected to another one. You use a 301 redirect when a URL needs to permanently point to a new address. This ensures that visitors, bots, and links are automatically forwarded to the new URL.
HTTP status code 302 – Temporary redirect
A 302 redirect is used when the original URL will be used again after a period of time. The new URL is only temporary.
A 302 status code tells the browser or search engine that the original page exists, but immediately redirects to another location. Since it signals that the original URL still exists, link equity (PageRank) is not transferred.
HTTP status code 404 – Page not found
This means the page could not be found. When there is no redirect in place, the visitor will land on a page showing the 404 status code. It usually informs the user that the page they tried to access no longer exists. Note that a 404 does not indicate whether the page is permanently or temporarily unavailable.
HTTP status code 410 – Permanently removed
The 410 status code informs Google that a page has been permanently and intentionally deleted. It’s a more specific alternative to the 404 code. The key difference is that with a 410, you’re explicitly telling Google the page was removed on purpose and can be deindexed.
HTTP status code 500 – Internal server error
This indicates that an internal server error has occurred. A 500 error doesn’t provide specific details; it only tells you that something went wrong, but not what caused it.
HTTP status code 503 – Service unavailable
The 503 error means your website is currently unavailable because the server is not accessible. Possible causes include server overload, maintenance, or other issues that require further analysis.
