Key Strategies for Effective Google Search Console Crawl Errors Report

If you own a website, you know that getting it indexed by Google is crucial for your online presence. However, just getting indexed is not enough. You need to ensure that Google crawls your website properly and does not run into any errors. One way to achieve this is by using the Google Search Console crawl errors report. In this article, we will discuss some key strategies for effectively using this report to identify and fix crawl errors on your website.

1. Regularly Monitor the Report

It is important to regularly monitor the crawl errors report in the Google Search Console to identify any errors that may arise. Ideally, you should check this report on a weekly basis to stay on top of any potential issues.

2. Analyze and Prioritize Errors

When you analyze the crawl errors report, you will find different types of errors, such as 404 errors, server errors, and soft 404 errors. It is important to prioritize the errors based on their impact on your website's performance. For example, fixing a 404 error for a popular page will have a bigger impact than fixing a similar error for a less popular page.

3. Fix the Errors

Once you have identified and prioritized the errors, it's time to fix them. Depending on the type of error, the solution may differ. For example, a 404 error can be fixed by redirecting the page to a new URL or by creating a new page altogether. You may need to work with your web developer or SEO team to fix more complex errors.

4. Use 301 Redirects

When fixing crawl errors, it is recommended to use 301 redirects instead of 302 redirects. This is because 301 redirects signal to Google that the page has permanently moved to a new location, while 302 redirects indicate a temporary move. Using 301 redirects will ensure that the new URL gets indexed properly and any link juice from the old URL is transferred to the new one.

5. Re-Submit Sitemap

After fixing the errors, it is a good practice to re-submit your website's sitemap to the Google Search Console. This will help Google re-crawl your website and index the changes you have made.

By following these key strategies, you can effectively use the Google Search Console crawl errors report to identify and fix crawl errors on your website. Doing so will ensure that your website is properly crawled and indexed by Google, leading to better search engine rankings and increased traffic to your website.