Gary Illyes from Google addressed a question regarding decreased search rankings, which was linked to 404 (Page Not Found) errors.

Fake External 404 Errors: Identifying the Source of Mysterious 404 Responses

Bots can trigger 404 errors for many reasons. One possible cause is automated scanners searching for files or folders typically associated with vulnerable plugins or themes. To identify if these 404 responses are coming from such scanning bots, you can check the IP address and user agent involved in generating the errors.

If the IP address indicates it originates from a web host or is linked to locations like Russia or China, it might suggest a hacker’s attempt to find vulnerabilities. Similarly, if the user agent represents an outdated version of Chrome or Firefox, that could also be a sign of a malicious bot. These clues can help you determine if 404 errors result from automated scanning bots. While this is just one reason among many, it underscores the importance of investigating the source of unexpected 404 responses.

Google Answers the Question: Can Fake 404 Errors Lead to a Drop in Rankings?

A website owner noticed a drop in rankings and suspected it was due to 404 Page Not Found server responses triggered by external sources. The question asked was:

“False 404 URLs are hitting my website from external sources. Could this be related to a ranking drop? What can I do to fix it?”

Google’s Gary Illyes replied:

“Fake 404s that Googlebot might’ve crawled are not likely to cause a ranking drop. It’s normal for a site to have 404s; you don’t need to fix them. However, your analytics show that many users are encountering these 404 errors. In that case, consider ways to engage them, such as redirecting them to relevant content.

Ranking Drops and 404 Page Not Found: What You Should Know

Gary Illyes from Google clarified that 404 errors are common and unlikely to lead to a drop in search rankings. In general, encountering 404 Page Not Found errors is a regular occurrence; most of the time, there’s no need to take corrective action.

404s That Actual Users Generate: Identifying and Fixing Misspelled Links

In some cases, 404 errors occur because real users are trying to access a link, but they end up with a “Page Not Found” response. This often happens when a URL needs to be corrected or typed correctly. You can diagnose this by checking if the erroneous URL resembles a valid URL on your site. If that’s the case, creating a redirect from the incorrect URL to the correct one effectively resolves the issue and guides users to their intended destination.

About the Drop in Rankings: A Closer Look at Possible Vulnerabilities

While Gary Illyes from Google discussed how 404 errors are unlikely to cause a drop in search rankings, there’s a slight chance that these errors are linked to malicious activity. This could occur if a bot used a vulnerability scanner, causing multiple 404 errors before finding a security loophole. To investigate this possibility, you can use phpMyAdmin, a server application, to inspect your database tables. Check the “users” section to see any unrecognized users.

A security plugin can help identify potential vulnerabilities in themes or plugins for WordPress-hosted sites. Jetpack Protect, a free vulnerability scanner from Automattic, can detect security risks but won’t automatically fix them. However, the premium version offers more comprehensive protection.

Other reputable WordPress security plugins include Sucuri and Wordfence, offering different functionalities with free and premium versions. These tools can help ensure your site is secure.

Suppose these checks reveal no signs of vulnerability. In that case, the ranking drop might be unrelated to the 404 errors, and you should investigate other factors affecting your search engine rankings.

Consider exploring our monthly SEO packages if you still need clarification and guidance. Let our team of experts help you through the process.