If you’ve ever clicked on a link only to be greeted by an error message like “Page Not Found” or “Access Denied,” you’ve encountered what’s known as a 40X error . These errors are frustrating for users and can hurt your website’s reputation, SEO rankings, and overall user experience. In this blog post, we’ll break down what these errors mean, why they happen, and how you can ensure your external links are working smoothly. Plus, we’ll share tools and strategies to help you stay ahead of these issues.
What Are 40X Errors? Let’s Break It Down
The term “40X” refers to a group of HTTP status codes that signal client-side problems. Essentially, these errors occur when something goes wrong while trying to access a webpage or resource. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common ones:
- 400 Bad Request : This happens when the server can’t understand the request due to incorrect syntax or invalid input. Think of it as a miscommunication between your browser and the website.
- 403 Forbidden : If you see a 403 error, it means the server understands your request but refuses to fulfill it. This could be because the site has restricted access or requires special permissions (like a login).
- 404 Not Found : The infamous “Page Not Found” error. It occurs when the requested page doesn’t exist—either because it was deleted, moved without a redirect, or never existed in the first place.
- 410 Gone : Similar to a 404, but with a stronger message. A 410 error tells visitors that the page is permanently gone and won’t be coming back.
These errors aren’t just annoying—they can also damage your website’s credibility. Imagine linking to a valuable resource only for your readers to hit a dead end. It’s not a great look, right?
How to find and fix 40X errors in WordPress external links
Step by step:
You can install a plugin in your wrodpress like “Broken Link Checker.” This tool can scan your site and find any external links that are giving 404/403/402 errors. They’ll check posts, pages, widgets, and even menus.
Once you know which links are broken, go to the content where they’re located. If the link is outdated, update it with the correct URL. If the page no longer exists, remove the link or replace it with something relevant.
If the broken link points to a site you control, set up a redirect to send users to the right page instead of showing an error.
Notice: When adding new external links, double-check they work and come from reliable sources to avoid future issues.
Why Do Some Websites Intentionally Trigger These Errors?
You might wonder why some websites seem to go out of their way to block external links. There are actually a few good reasons behind this:
- Security First : Many organizations, like banks, government sites, or private institutions, use 403 errors to protect sensitive information. They don’t want third-party sites embedding or linking directly to their pages without proper authorization.
- Content Control : Universities and research institutions often limit access to specific materials. For example, academic papers or library resources may require login credentials, which triggers a 403 error for unauthenticated users.
- SEO Cleanup : Some websites use 410 errors strategically to remove outdated or irrelevant content from search engine indexes. When Google sees a 410 response, it knows the page is gone for good and stops crawling it.
While these practices serve legitimate purposes, they can create headaches for webmasters who rely on external links to provide value to their audience.
Why Do University Websites Often Show 404 or 403 Errors?
University websites are notorious for triggering 404 or 403 errors, especially when it comes to external links. Here’s why:
- Dynamic Content : Many university sites host dynamic content, such as faculty profiles, event calendars, or student portals. If a professor leaves the institution or an event ends, the related pages may disappear, resulting in a 404 error.
- Restricted Access : Academic databases, journals, and library catalogs often require authentication. Without proper credentials, attempting to access these resources via an external link will trigger a 403 error.
- Website Updates : Universities frequently overhaul their websites to reflect new programs, policies, or branding. During these updates, older URLs may become obsolete, causing 404 errors unless redirects are put in place.
For website owners relying on university sources, these errors highlight the importance of regularly auditing external links to keep them accurate and functional.
The Gold Standard: All Links Should Resolve to 200 ‘OK’ URLs
From an SEO perspective, the ideal scenario is that all links on your website resolve to 200 ‘OK’ URLs . A 200 status code confirms that the requested resource exists and is accessible. Achieving this standard requires regular monitoring and proactive management of both internal and external links.
When evaluating potential external links, consider these key factors:
- Domain Authority (DA) : DA is a metric developed by Moz that predicts a website’s ranking potential. Linking to high-DA sites boosts your own credibility and improves SEO performance.
- Spam Score : Tools like Moz also calculate Spam Scores to identify potentially harmful domains. Avoid linking to sites with high spam scores, as this can harm your SEO efforts.
- Relevance : Make sure the linked website aligns with your niche or topic. Irrelevant links confuse users and dilute the value of your content.
By sticking to these guidelines, you can build a strong network of external links that supports your SEO strategy while providing real value to your audience.
How to Check Link Status Using (with to without error)
One of the easiest ways to verify whether an external link resolves to a 200 status code is by using tools like https://httpstatus.io . This free online service lets you check the HTTP status of multiple URLs at once. Here’s how it works:
- Enter the URL(s) you want to test into the tool’s interface.
- Click “Check Status.”
- Review the results, which display each URL’s corresponding HTTP status code.
If a link returns a 200 status, it’s good to go! But if you spot a 403, 404, or another error, take action immediately to replace or fix the link.
How AI SEO Services Can Help You Fix External Link Issues
Managing external links manually can be a daunting task, especially for large websites with hundreds—or even thousands—of outbound connections. That’s where AI SEO services come in handy. At AI SEO Services , we specialize in identifying and resolving on-page SEO issues, including broken or problematic external links.
Our advanced algorithms scan your entire website to detect:
- Broken links return 404 or 410 errors.
- Restricted links triggering 403 responses.
- Low-quality links with poor DA or high Spam Scores.
Once identified, our team provides actionable solutions tailored to your needs. Whether it’s updating outdated links, replacing irrelevant ones, or implementing redirects, we ensure your external link profile remains healthy and optimized.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your External Links in Check
In today’s competitive digital landscape, maintaining a strong external link profile is crucial for SEO success. Understanding 40X errors, recognizing why they occur, and knowing how to address them empowers you to deliver a seamless browsing experience for your audience.
Remember, all links should ideally resolve to 200 ‘OK’ URLs , and tools like https://httpstatus.io/ make it easy to monitor link health. Additionally, partnering with experts like AI SEO Services ensures that your website stays ahead of the curve by addressing external link issues efficiently.
Don’t let broken links undermine your hard work. Take control of your external link strategy today, and watch your website thrive!