The main difference between 301 redirects and 404 errors lies in their communication to search engines and users about a requested page:
301 (Moved Permanently):
- Meaning: This code tells the search engine and user that the requested page has permanently moved to a new location.
- Action: The browser is automatically redirected to the new location specified in the redirect.
- SEO Impact:
- Preserves SEO value: The link juice and ranking power of the old page are transferred to the new page, minimizing SEO loss.
- Maintains user experience: Users seamlessly land on the intended content without encountering broken links.
404 (Not Found):
- Meaning: This code informs the search engine and user that the requested page cannot be found at the specified location.
- Action: The browser displays a “404 Not Found” error page.
- SEO Impact:
- Negatively affects SEO: The old page loses link juice and ranking power, potentially impacting the SEO of other linked pages.
- Frustrates users: Users encounter a broken link, leading to a negative user experience and potentially lost visitors.