Knowledgebase: SEO

The error message shown when a page can’t be found

A 404 page is an error page that appears when someone tries to access a webpage that doesn’t exist on your site. This can happen if a user mistypes a URL, follows a broken link, or tries to reach a page that has been moved or deleted. The term “404” comes from the HTTP status code for “Not Found.”

A well-designed 404 page is more than just an error message—it’s an opportunity to keep visitors engaged. Custom 404 pages often include helpful navigation links, a search bar, or even a bit of humor to lighten the experience and encourage users to stay on the site instead of leaving. A great 404 page guides lost visitors back to useful content, helping improve user experience and reduce bounce rates.

A link from one website to another can improve search rankings.

acklinks (also known as “inbound links” or “incoming links”) are links from one website that point to another website. Backlinks are a key component of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), as they signal to search engines that other websites consider your content valuable and credible. Each backlink acts as a “vote of confidence” from the referring site, potentially improving your site’s authority and ranking in search engine results.

Key Characteristics of Backlinks:

1. Source of the Link: Not all backlinks are equal—links from reputable, high-authority sites (such as popular news outlets or industry-leading blogs) carry more SEO value than those from lesser-known sites.
2. Anchor Text: The clickable text of the backlink (anchor text) provides context about the linked page’s content. Optimized anchor text with relevant keywords can enhance SEO, though it’s essential to maintain natural and varied language to avoid penalties.
3. DoFollow vs. NoFollow Links: A “DoFollow” backlink passes SEO value or “link juice” to the linked site, positively affecting its search ranking. In contrast, “NoFollow” links do not pass SEO value but still generate traffic and increase visibility.

Types of Backlinks:

• Editorial Backlinks: Links that are naturally included within content, often because the linked page offers useful or credible information on the topic.
• Guest Post Backlinks: Links included in guest articles written for other websites, typically as part of a content marketing or SEO strategy.
• Directory Links: Links from online business directories, such as Yelp or industry-specific directories. These can help improve local SEO and visibility.
• Social Media Backlinks: Links from social media platforms that drive traffic to your site. While these are typically NoFollow, they still contribute to brand visibility and reach.

Benefits of Backlinks:

• Improves Search Engine Rankings: High-quality backlinks from authoritative sites can help improve a site’s ranking in search engine results, making it easier for users to find.
• Increases Site Authority: Backlinks build credibility; when reputable sites link to your content, it signals to search engines that your site is a trusted source.
• Drives Referral Traffic: Backlinks from popular websites can direct a steady stream of interested visitors to your site, increasing visibility and engagement.
• Builds Brand Awareness: Being referenced by multiple sites exposes your brand to a broader audience, potentially establishing you as a thought leader or reliable resource in your industry.

Best Practices for Building Backlinks:

• Create High-Quality Content: Offering unique, informative, and valuable content encourages other websites to link to it naturally.
• Engage in Outreach: Reach out to relevant blogs, websites, or influencers to promote your content or propose collaborations that can lead to backlinks.
• Guest Blogging: Writing guest posts on reputable sites in your industry is a strategic way to earn backlinks while building relationships and establishing authority.
• Fix Broken Links: Identify broken links on other sites related to your industry and suggest your content as a replacement, benefiting both parties.

In summary, backlinks are a foundational element of SEO, driving organic traffic, building authority, and enhancing online visibility. An effective backlink strategy focuses on earning links from high-quality, relevant sites, helping to improve search rankings and overall site performance.

A link that no longer works because the page has been moved or deleted.

A Broken Link is a hyperlink on a webpage that no longer leads to its intended destination, often resulting in a “404 Not Found” error. This can happen for several reasons: the linked page may have been moved or deleted, the URL may have been incorrectly typed, or the target site may be temporarily unavailable. Broken links are not only frustrating for users, who may leave a site if they can’t access desired content, but they can also negatively impact a website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines interpret multiple broken links as a sign of a poorly maintained site, which may lower its search rankings. To avoid these issues, regular link maintenance and tools like link checkers help identify and fix broken links, improving the overall user experience and keeping the site’s SEO strong.

Google Search Results are the list of web pages, images, videos, or other online content displayed after a user enters a search query on Google. Google’s algorithms rank these results based on relevance, keywords, and other factors to provide users with the most relevant information. Ranking high in search results is a priority for many businesses as it increases visibility and traffic.

A word or phrase that describes your content and helps it appear in relevant search results.

HTML tags in a webpage’s code that tell search engines about the page’s content. Common tags include title tags and meta descriptions, which affect search engine rankings.

Listings in search results based on relevance, not paid ads.

A way to send users from one URL to another automatically, often used when a page is moved.

Code added to your website that helps search engines understand your content better, improving how information displays in search results.

Techniques to make your website more visible on search engines like Google, boosting organic traffic.

The words or phrases people type into search engines to find information or solutions.

Visitors who come to your site from search engines.

The page you see after entering a search query, showing both organic and paid results. Ranking high on the SERP improves visibility.

The part of a URL that comes after the domain name, usually describing the page’s content.

A web address that specifies where to find a page or file on the internet.