200 Status Code?

What is a 200 Status Code?

The HTTP 200 OK status code is a standard response code indicating that a server has successfully processed a client’s request. In the context of web browsing, it means that the requested web page was successfully loaded and returned to the client (browser) without any issues.

How the 200 Status Code Works

When you access a web page, your browser sends an HTTP request to the server hosting the page. This request includes:

• URL: Specifies the location of the resource.
• Request Method: Typically GET for retrieving a page.
• Additional Information: This could include parameters, headers, or cookies.

If the server successfully retrieves the page and no issues occur, it responds with an HTTP 200 OK status code, indicating that everything went as expected.

Why the 200 Status Code is Important

1. User Access:

• A 200 OK status code signifies that users can access and view the page without encountering errors.

2. Search Engine Crawling:

• Search engines like Google rely on status codes to index pages. A 200 OK response ensures that search engine crawlers can access and index your pages, allowing them to pass PageRank and other SEO benefits.

3. User Experience:

• Pages that return a 200 OK status code provide a seamless user experience. If a page consistently returns an error status code, users will encounter broken links or missing content, which can be detrimental to user satisfaction.

SEO Best Practices for HTTP Status Codes

While a 200 OK status is ideal for most pages, there are scenarios where other status codes are appropriate, such as redirects or removed pages. However, it’s important to manage these status codes carefully to avoid SEO issues.

Here are some best practices:

1. Monitor and Fix Excessive Redirects:

• Issue: Excessive or unnecessary redirects can slow down page loading times.
• Best Practice: Use redirects only when necessary, such as for site migrations or permanently moved pages. Directly link to the destination page when possible to minimize redirect chains and improve page speed.

2. Avoid Redirect Chains:

• Issue: A redirect chain occurs when a URL redirects to another URL, which then redirects to a third URL, and so on. This can slow down loading times.
• Best Practice: Keep redirect chains short and avoid unnecessary hops. Tools like Ahrefs Site Audit can help identify and fix redirect chains.

3. Address Broken Pages:

• Issue: Pages that return 404 (Not Found) or 410 (Gone) status codes can affect user experience and SEO if they are linked from other sites or have valuable backlinks.
• Best Practice: Redirect broken pages with high-quality backlinks to relevant pages on your site. This preserves the PageRank and improves user experience. Use tools like Ahrefs Webmaster Tools to find and manage broken pages.

How to Implement Best Practices

1. Conduct Regular Site Audits:

• Use tools like Ahrefs’ Site Audit to regularly check the status codes of your pages and identify any issues that need addressing.

2. Optimize Redirects:

• Ensure redirects are set up correctly and avoid unnecessary chains. Aim for a direct path from the old URL to the new URL.

3. Fix or Redirect Broken Pages:

• Regularly check for 404 and 410 errors, and set up appropriate redirects to maintain link equity and improve user experience.

4. Validate Self-Referencing Hreflang Tags:

• Ensure that each page with hreflang tags includes a self-referencing tag to confirm its language and regional targeting.

Conclusion

The HTTP 200 OK status code is crucial for ensuring that users and search engines can access and index your pages without issues. Regular monitoring and optimization of status codes, redirects, and broken pages will help maintain a healthy website, improve user experience, and support your SEO efforts.