Google’s upgraded Search Console is an indispensable tool for entrepreneurs and SEO professionals. A pivotal aspect of this tool is its ability to identify errors on your website that are detrimental to your SEO performance, and in some instances, it can even suggest solutions to rectify these issues.
Within the GSC’s Index Coverage Report, you can inspect detected errors and access a wealth of information for each page on your site, along with a detailed table that serves as Google’s error detection system. The summary page lists the total number of pages Google has indexed or attempted to index on your site, categorizing each page as “valid,” “warning,” or “error,” along with the rationale for each status.
In the following section, we will delve into some of the most frequent Google error messages found in the Index Coverage Report, their underlying causes, and strategies for resolving them.
**404 Errors**
A 404 error, one of the most prevalent Google search errors, signifies that the crawler could locate the server associated with the URL but was unable to find the requested information (i.e., the webpage). This could be due to a page you inadvertently retained in your sitemap after deactivating it, prompting Googlebot to crawl it. It could also stem from issues with redirects from the old page to the new one, or a range of other Google errors. The index coverage page typically provides insights into the issue and suggests potential fixes, such as removing outdated pages from sitemaps or establishing appropriate redirects.
**Soft 404 Errors**
Comparable to the “actual” 404 error, a soft 404 error in Google search indicates that a page is broken as perceived by Googlebot, yet it does not display a 404 error. Such errors can arise from various page issues and are often as simple as your website’s theme automatically generating pages. For instance, WordPress can inadvertently create pages for every image on your site, which Google then indexes.
**500-Level Server Errors**
A 500-level Google error suggests an issue with your website’s server. Unlike simpler crawl errors, such server errors may necessitate contacting your IT team or hosting provider to ascertain if their servers are experiencing issues. They could also be related to your site’s configuration, so pay close attention to the information provided by GSC and investigate your resources to resolve the error.
**Redirect Errors**
Redirect errors occur when your redirect is not functioning correctly. This is a common issue when you alter the primary URL, requiring a redirect from the old URL to the new one. If your URL has changed multiple times, you may find your new URL at the end of a lengthy redirect chain. This is the most common redirect error encountered in Google error detection tools, but be vigilant for less conventional ones as well. Certain themes and tools like WordPress can automatically execute functions they were not instructed to, and if Google crawls these sites, it may register them as errors.
**Coalition Can Assist!**
For further SEO insights and best practices, visit our blog, where you’ll find a treasure trove of information on e-commerce, SEO, keyword, and image optimization, among other topics. Explore our case studies to understand how Coalition benefits our clients and the impact SEO can have on your business.
Contact us directly at 310-827-3890 or via email for a free consultation. We welcome new clients throughout the year, ensuring there’s no inappropriate time to reach out. Let us know how Coalition can assist you today!
