Correcting method of 404 errors

A 404 error occurs when a page on your Blogger site cannot be found. In Google Search Console (GSC), these errors are reported when Google tries to crawl a URL that no longer exists. This can happen when you delete a post, change its URL, or have broken internal or external links pointing to that page.

While a few 404 errors are normal and won't significantly harm your SEO, too many can negatively affect your site's user experience and search visibility. Understanding why these errors appear and how to fix them is essential to maintain a healthy blog that performs well in search results and supports AdSense monetization.

What is a 404 Error?

A 404 error occurs when a requested URL is not found on your website. In Blogger, this may happen when a post or page is deleted, its URL is changed, or when there are broken links pointing to that page.

Impact of 404 errors:

• Page will not appear in Google search results.
• Negative user experience if visitors land on broken pages.
• Potential minor SEO impact if many errors exist.

Difference Between 301, 302, and 404 Errors

404 Error

Meaning: Page Not Found. Signals Google and users that the page does not exist. In Blogger, this happens for deleted posts, typos, or removed pages.

301 Redirect

Meaning: Permanent redirect from an old URL to a new one. SEO benefit: passes most ranking power to the new page. Use this when you change a post URL or merge content.

302 Redirect

Meaning: Temporary redirect. SEO effect: original page ranking may not pass. Use for temporary maintenance or seasonal content.

How 404 Errors Occur in Blogger

• Deleted posts or pages.
• Incorrect internal links.
• External websites linking to old URLs.
• Outdated sitemaps crawled by Google.
• Typo in manual links inside posts or menus.

How to Detect 404 Errors in GSC

1. Log in to Google Search Console.
2. Go to Coverage → Errors → Submitted URL not found (404).
3. Click each URL to see when it was crawled and its origin.

Tip: Download a CSV of 404 URLs to track and manage them efficiently.

Step-by-Step Ways to Fix 404 Errors in Blogger

Option 1 – Restore Deleted Post

1. Go to Blogger dashboard → Posts → Trash.
2. Restore the deleted post.
3. Resubmit the URL in GSC for reindexing.

Option 2 – Create a New Post at the Same URL

Copy the old content (if available) to a new post, making sure the URL slug is identical. Submit in GSC for reindexing.

Option 3 – Set up 301 Redirects

1. Go to Settings → Search preferences → Errors and redirections → Custom redirects → Edit.
2. Add from: /old-url → to: /new-url.
3. Check “Permanent”.

Option 4 – Ignore If Page Gone Permanently

If content is permanently irrelevant, let Google drop it naturally. Ensure no internal links point to it. Add a custom 404 page with search box and popular links for better UX.

How Long Does It Take for Google to Remove 404 Errors?

• If fixed or redirected: 1–2 weeks for Google to update.
• If left permanent: few weeks to a few months for removal from search results.
• Use GSC → URL Inspection → Request Indexing to speed up process.

Best Practices to Prevent 404 Errors in Blogger

• Plan post URLs carefully before publishing.
• Avoid deleting posts without proper redirects.
• Monthly internal linking audits.
• Keep sitemap updated and resubmit in GSC.
• Monitor external backlinks.
• Add a custom 404 page with links to popular posts.

Improving Site Posts & Pages with 404 Errors (H3 Guidelines)

Step 1 – Audit Old Content

Identify posts causing 404 errors and check backlinks using SEO tools.

Step 2 – Redirect or Restore

Use 301 redirects for high-value pages or restore content if it has traffic potential.

Step 3 – Update Internal Links

Ensure no post links to a 404 page. Replace broken links with relevant content.

Step 4 – Submit Fixed URLs in GSC

Use URL Inspection → Request Indexing for faster re-crawl.

Step 5 – Monitor Monthly

Check GSC monthly for new 404 errors and fix them promptly.

FAQ – Part 1

Will 404 errors harm my Blogger SEO?

Only if too many occur without fixing. A few 404s are normal and expected.

Can I redirect all 404 pages?

Not necessary. Redirect high-value pages; leave irrelevant ones as 404.

How to check which post caused 404 in Blogger?

Use GSC coverage report → click URL → see referrers and source page.

Does Google remove 404s automatically?

Yes, over time. Fixing them speeds up index cleanup.

Advanced Tricks to Remove 404 Errors Quickly in GSC

1. Use URL Inspection Tool

After fixing or redirecting a broken URL, go to Google Search Console → URL Inspection → Enter the fixed URL → Request Indexing. This signals Google to recrawl the page faster, often removing the 404 error in days instead of weeks.

2. Submit Updated Sitemap

Update your Blogger sitemap after adding redirects or restoring posts. Submit the sitemap in GSC under Sitemaps → Add a new sitemap. This ensures Google indexes only valid URLs and helps remove outdated 404s.

3. Check for External Links

Sometimes 404s appear because other sites link to deleted pages. Use backlink checking tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush) to find them. If possible, request the linking site to update the link to the correct URL.

4. Monitor Crawl Errors Regularly

Set a monthly schedule to check GSC coverage. Early detection prevents multiple 404s from accumulating and affecting SEO or AdSense revenue.

SEO & AdSense Optimization After Fixing 404 Errors

1. Internal Linking

Once a page is restored or redirected, update all internal links pointing to it. This improves SEO and ensures AdSense ads display properly without broken links.

2. Ad Placement Check

Ensure AdSense ad units are visible on the restored pages. Broken pages or 404s can cause AdSense revenue loss if ads do not load.

3. Content Refresh

If a deleted page is restored, update its content to include fresh keywords, images, and internal links to other posts. This improves page relevance for Google.

4. Mobile Optimization

Check that restored pages are mobile-friendly. GSC tracks Core Web Vitals, and fixing 404s alone is not enough if pages are not optimized for mobile.

Step-by-Step 301 Redirect Examples in Blogger

To set up a 301 redirect in Blogger:

1. Go to Settings → Search preferences → Errors and redirections → Custom redirects → Edit
2. Enter the old URL in the From: field (example: /old-post-slug)
3. Enter the new URL in the To: field (example: /new-post-slug)
4. Check Permanent and click Save

Example:

From: /how-to-fix-404-errors
To: /fixing-404-errors-in-blogger
Permanent: ✔

Additional FAQs – Part 2

Q5: Can fixing 404s improve AdSense revenue?

Yes. Broken pages with ads will not show properly. Restoring or redirecting pages ensures ad units load correctly, improving impressions and revenue.

Q6: How many 404 errors are normal in Blogger?

Small blogs may have 5–50 errors over time, larger blogs can have 100+. The key is to fix high-value URLs and monitor regularly.

Q7: Should I use 301 or 302 redirects for old posts?

Use 301 for permanent changes. 302 is