Incorrect redirects, 404 pages, broken links and redirect chains can make it harder for users and search engines to reach important content. Bilfas analyzes status codes, old URLs, internal links, 301/302 redirects, soft 404 issues and technical errors that may weaken a website’s SEO signals.
Every URL on a website sends a technical signal. When a page no longer exists, points to the wrong destination or redirects through multiple steps, users and search engines may have trouble reaching the right content.
From an SEO perspective, incorrect redirects and 404 errors can lead to lost link signals, weaker user experience, unnecessary crawl resource usage and indexation issues for important pages.
A 301 redirect means that an old URL has been permanently redirected to a new one. It is used when a page has permanently moved, when URL structure changes or when old content is merged into a more relevant page.
A 302 redirect means a temporary redirect and is used when the change is not permanent. A 404 means that the page was not found, while a 410 more clearly indicates that the content has been permanently removed. Each status has a different purpose and should not be used randomly.
Problems appear when old URLs are not redirected properly, when 301 redirects point to irrelevant pages, when there are too many redirects in a chain or when a redirect creates a loop.
We specifically check redirect chains, redirect loops, HTTP to HTTPS redirects, www and non-www versions, old blog posts, deleted pages, internal links pointing to redirected URLs and situations where many old URLs unnecessarily redirect to the homepage.
A 404 error is not always a problem. If a page has truly been removed and there is no relevant replacement, a 404 or 410 status can be the correct signal. The issue appears when important URLs, internal links or external backlinks point to pages that no longer exist.
Broken links can negatively affect user experience and make it harder for search engines to follow the website structure. That is why we analyze internal and external links, old URLs, Google Search Console reports and pages that lose value because of broken paths.
A soft 404 happens when a page technically returns a 200 status, but the content does not provide useful or relevant information. This often happens with empty pages, no-result pages, unavailable products or redirects that send all deleted URLs to the homepage.
Google may treat such pages as problematic because the technical signal does not match the actual content. That is why we check whether removed or replaced pages have the correct status code and whether users actually land on a relevant alternative.
Redirects, 404 errors and status codes are an important part of technical SEO because they affect how users and search engines move through a website. Properly configured redirects preserve a clear URL structure, reduce technical barriers and help transfer the value of old pages to relevant new destinations.
For a broader approach to technical optimization, see our technical SEO service.
First, we analyze status codes, internal links, Google Search Console reports, old URLs, existing redirect maps and pages that return 404, 410, 3xx or soft 404 signals. Then we identify URLs that have SEO value, traffic or relevant internal and external links.
After the analysis, we prepare concrete recommendations for improvement. This may include adding 301 redirects, removing redirect chains, correcting internal links, fixing soft 404 issues, restoring important pages or properly removing content that no longer has a relevant replacement.
Redirects and 404 errors often raise questions about when to use 301, when 404 is not a problem, why broken links matter and how incorrect redirects can affect SEO. Below are the key questions businesses usually have before a technical URL check.
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another. It is used when a page has permanently moved, when URL structure has changed or when old content should point to a relevant new page.
A 301 indicates a permanent redirect, while a 302 indicates a temporary redirect. If the change is permanent, 301 is usually used. If the redirect is temporary, for example for testing or a temporary campaign, 302 is used.
No. If a page no longer exists and there is no relevant replacement, 404 can be the correct signal. The problem appears when important pages, internal links or external backlinks point to 404 URLs that previously had SEO value or user importance.
Redirect chains are sequences where one URL redirects to another, the second redirects to a third and only then reaches the final page. They can slow loading, make crawling harder and send weaker technical signals than a direct redirect.
A soft 404 is a situation where a page technically returns a 200 status, but the content looks like the page does not exist or has no useful value. Examples include empty pages, no-result pages or deleted pages redirecting to irrelevant replacements.
They should be checked after a redesign, URL structure change, page deletion, CMS migration, content consolidation, major SEO changes or when Google Search Console shows many 404, redirect or soft 404 issues.
If your website has old URLs, broken links, incorrect 301/302 redirects, redirect chains or soft 404 issues, Bilfas can analyze status codes and suggest concrete technical fixes.