An SEOs Guide to HTTP Status Codes

AN SEO'S GUIDE TO HTTP STATUS CODES Every web page you visit returns a status code, to give the browser additional information and instructions. Search bots see these codes, and some of them can impact SEO. Here are a few of the big ones: CAST OF CHARACTERS AB The Pages The The Link Visitor Robot Juice HTTP STATUS CODES 200 i OK/Success Everyone arrives at Page A. There is much rejoicing! 301 AB Permanent Everyone is redirected to the new location, Page B. 302 Temporary* Visitors and bots are redirected. Juice is left behind. 404 Not Found Original page is gone. Visitors may see a 404 page. 500 Server Error No page is returned. Everyone is lost and confused :( 503 A Unavailable Asks everyone to come back later. A 404 alternative. * Technically, code 301 is "Moved Permanently" and 302 is "Found", but SEOS refer to them as "Pemanent Redirect" and "Temporary Redirect". THE CANONICAL TAG REL Canonical Alternative to 301-redirects. Visitors still see Page A. Copyright © 2011 SEOmoz, Inc. (www.seomoz.org). All Rights Reserved.