Checking server response codes

Each call to the site pages is accompanied by a three-digit number being sent back by the server. Regardless of who makes the request, the URL – user or search robot. The result depends on which number is sent in response - – whether the requester gets the desired result. When performing optimizations, it is very important that the server submission of codes is properly rebuilt.

If the sent request is processed successfully, about which the corresponding code is received, the user gets access to the requested page, and if the request is sent by the robot – he starts scanning it.   Its result directly affects fast indexing. This is an important element of SEO promotion that requires special attention.

The need to check this functionality arises not only during SEO optimization, but also after making any changes to the resource. This can be deleting an outdated page, changing the url, moving the site to a new CMS, and so on. In these cases, this procedure is also necessarily carried out, and according to its results, an adjustment is made.

What are the server codes and why it is imperative to check them

There are five server response classes in total:

• Informational. Beginning with 1, informs that the request has been received and the data transfer has started.
• Successful request.   Beginning with the number 2, and also indicate the success of the request, which gives a signal to the search robot to start scanning.
• Redirects. These responses start with 3 and are responsible for successful navigation between pages (redirects).
• Errors. Combine two classes – the fourth (number 4) and the fifth (respectively – 5). They notify about errors that occur when accessing – either from the user side or due to failures.

If the answers are not distributed correctly, then this causes disruptions in work, takes up extra system resources for the operation of the site, and negatively affects SEO promotion.

Search robots, before starting crawling, study the server code, and only then decide on further actions. So, non-existent pages should give 404 or 410 errors, otherwise the robot can scan them. And since they are not found in nature, the results of such a scan will negatively affect indexing.

less important are a properly configured redirect (redirection from an old page to a new one), data transfer, and similar processes. This improves the work of the resource, its performance, usability, and therefore – and on the general attitude towards the site, both on the part of users and on the part of robots. Our experts pay due attention to this area when providing any type of SEO services.

How we check codes

There are many tools to diagnose this function - ; both paid and free. You can use the services of one of the many online services. Moreover, it is possible to do page-by-page verification manually even with the tools built into many browsers. So, in Google Chrome, in the Network tab, you can easily find out which one is sent to the received request. It is listed in the Status column, which can be viewed through the webmaster's panel (you need to press the F12 key to activate). There are also many plugins for different browsers. But all this – a long and rather difficult path.

SEO specialists of our company use the professional application Screaming Frog SEO Spider for this purpose. After crawling your entire site, in the working window we receive complete information about what code the server sends when accessing a particular url. After analyzing the information received, it is not difficult to find existing errors.

The main danger for SEO promotion are error codes (404, 410) and redirects (301, etc.). If they are not built correctly, you can run into big problems during promotion. This part of the work cannot be ignored when conducting a technical audit.