11 Feb SEO Crawling Errors: What They Are & How to Fix Them

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical component of digital marketing, ensuring that a website ranks well on search engine results pages (SERPs). However, one significant roadblock to SEO success is crawling errors. These errors prevent search engines from properly accessing and indexing a site’s content, negatively impacting its visibility. Understanding what SEO crawling errors are, how they occur, and how to fix them is essential for maintaining a well-optimized website.

What Are SEO Crawling Errors?

Crawling errors occur when search engine bots, like Googlebot, are unable to access a page or an entire website. These issues can arise due to various reasons, including misconfigured server settings, broken links, or access restrictions via robots.txt files.

There are two primary types of crawling errors:

• Site-Level Errors: These affect the entire website, preventing search engines from crawling any of its pages. Examples include DNS failures, server errors, or a misconfigured robots.txt file.
• URL-Level Errors: These impact specific pages rather than the whole website. Common examples include 404 errors (page not found), 403 errors (forbidden access), and duplicate content issues.

Common SEO Crawling Errors and Their Fixes

1. DNS Errors

DNS (Domain Name System) errors occur when a search engine bot is unable to connect with the website’s domain. This often results from issues with the website’s hosting provider.

How to Fix:

• Check if the website is accessible from a browser.
• Use a tool like Google Search Console to identify specific DNS problems.
• Contact the hosting provider if the issue persists.

2. Server Errors (5xx Errors)

These errors indicate that the website’s server is down or unable to process a request. Common server errors include 500 (Internal Server Error) and 503 (Service Unavailable).

How to Fix:

• Ensure that the server is properly configured and running.
• Monitor server logs to detect recurring issues.
• Upgrade hosting resources if frequent downtimes occur.

3. 404 Errors (Page Not Found)

A 404 error occurs when a requested page does not exist on the server. This can happen due to deleted pages, broken links, or incorrect URLs.

How to Fix:

• Use Google Search Console to identify broken links.
• Redirect missing pages using 301 redirects to relevant pages.
• Regularly audit internal and external links to ensure they are functional.

4. Robots.txt Blocking Important Pages

The robots.txt file instructs search engines on which pages they can or cannot crawl. If misconfigured, it could block essential pages from being indexed.

How to Fix:

• Check the robots.txt file using Google Search Console.
• Ensure that critical pages are not being disallowed from crawling.
• Use “noindex” meta tags for specific pages instead of blocking entire sections.

5. Redirect Errors

Improper redirects, such as redirect chains and loops, can confuse search engines and slow down crawling.

How to Fix:

• Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to detect redirect chains.
• Ensure 301 redirects are correctly implemented for permanent URL changes.
• Avoid excessive redirects within a website’s link structure.

How to Monitor and Prevent Crawling Errors

Regular monitoring helps in early detection and prevention of crawling errors. Here are some best practices:

• Use Google Search Console to track crawl errors and resolve them promptly.
• Perform routine technical SEO audits using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
• Ensure all internal and external links are working properly.
• Optimize server performance to reduce timeout errors.

Conclusion

SEO crawling errors can hinder a website’s ability to rank effectively in search results. Identifying these errors and fixing them promptly ensures that search engine bots can index and rank the content correctly. By regularly monitoring website health, fixing broken links, and optimizing technical SEO elements, businesses can maintain a highly optimized website that performs well in search engines.

FAQ

What happens if a page has a crawling error?

If a page has a crawling error, search engines cannot index it properly, leading to lower rankings or complete removal from search results.

How often should crawling errors be checked?

It is advisable to check for crawling errors at least once a month using tools like Google Search Console, especially for larger websites.

Can crawling errors affect website traffic?

Yes, crawling errors can negatively impact website traffic by preventing search engines from indexing essential pages, reducing their visibility in search results.

How can broken links be fixed?

Broken links can be fixed by updating URLs, implementing 301 redirects, or removing obsolete links from the website’s content.

Why is my robots.txt file blocking pages?

Misconfiguration in the robots.txt file can block pages unintentionally. Review the file to ensure that essential pages are not being restricted from crawling.