Search engines like Google use crawlers (also known as bots or spiders) to discover, analyze, and index web pages. When a crawler encounters an issue while trying to access a page, it generates a “crawl error.”
These errors can prevent your site from appearing in search results, which means missed opportunities for visibility and traffic. For your website to rank well on search engines like Google and Bing, its technical SEO must be sound. Without sound technical SEO, your website will struggle.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crawl errors and how to fix them, ensuring your site is fully indexed and visible to search engines.
Understanding Crawl Errors
Crawl errors occur when a search engine bot cannot access a page on your website. These errors fall into two main categories:
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Site-Level Errors
Site-level errors are issues that prevent search engines from accessing your entire website. These can severely impact your site’s visibility in search results. Examples include:
- DNS Errors: The search engine can’t communicate with your website’s server. This often happens due to misconfigured DNS settings or server downtime.
- Server Errors (5xx): The server fails to respond properly to the search engine’s request. This may be caused by an overloaded server, server misconfigurations, or plugin conflicts (for CMS like WordPress).
- Robots.txt Errors: The search engine is blocked from accessing your site or specific pages due to incorrect robots.txt settings.
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URL-Level Errors
URL-level errors occur when a specific page on your website is inaccessible to search engines. These include:
- 404 Errors (Page Not Found): The requested page does not exist, often due to broken links or deleted pages.
- 403 Errors (Forbidden): The search engine is denied access to the page, typically due to incorrect permissions or server restrictions.
- Redirect Errors: The URL points to an incorrect or broken destination, which can cause redirect loops or chains.
How to Identify Crawl Errors
The first step in fixing crawl errors is identifying them. You can do this using Google Search Console, a free tool provided by Google:
- Log in to Google Search Console.
- Go to the “Indexing” section on the left sidebar.
- Review the “Pages” tab for error reports, which will show you all crawl issues detected.
- Analyze the errors under “Crawl Errors” or “Indexing Issues.”
You can also use other tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider, Ahrefs Site Audit, or SEMrush Site Audit to identify crawl errors on a larger scale.
Fixing Common Crawl Errors
Here are the most common crawl errors and how to fix them in detail:
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Fixing DNS Errors
- Verify that your domain is correctly pointed to your web server. Check your DNS settings with your hosting provider.
- Use a DNS checker tool (like DNSChecker.org) to confirm that your DNS is properly propagated.
- If you are using a CDN (Content Delivery Network), ensure it is correctly configured and does not block search engine bots.
- Contact your hosting provider for further assistance if the problem persists.
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Resolving Server Errors (5xx)
- Monitor your server’s response time and ensure it has enough capacity to handle requests, especially during peak traffic.
- Use server logs to identify the root cause of the error (e.g., overloaded CPU, memory issues).
- If you are using WordPress or another CMS, deactivate plugins one by one to see if a plugin is causing the issue.
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Correcting Robots.txt Errors
- Review your robots.txt file (usually located at yourdomain.com/robots.txt) to ensure it does not block important pages.
- Use Google’s Robots.txt Tester in Search Console to check for syntax errors or blocked pages.
- If you want certain pages indexed, ensure they are not disallowed in the robots.txt file.
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Addressing 404 Errors (Page Not Found)
- Set up 301 redirects for any deleted or moved pages to direct users to the correct page.
- Regularly audit your site for broken links using tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs.
- Create a custom 404 page that provides helpful navigation to users who land on it.
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Fixing Redirect Errors
- Ensure all redirects point to the correct destination URL.
- Avoid redirect chains, where one URL redirects to another, which then redirects to another.
- Use 301 (permanent) redirects instead of 302 (temporary) for most cases, as 301 redirects pass SEO value.
If you’re tech savy, you may be able to identify and fix these crawl errors yourself. However, if you need assistance, you always have the option of partnering with an SEO company that specializes in technical SEO. SEO companies have the knowledge and experience it takes to quickly identify crawl errors and resolve them.
Optimizing Your Site for Better Indexing
Fixing crawl errors is just the beginning. To ensure your site is fully indexed and performs well in search results, follow these best practices:
- Create a clear and logical site structure with intuitive navigation.
- Submit an XML sitemap to Google Search Console and keep it updated.
- Use internal linking strategically to help search engines discover all pages.
- Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant.
- Optimize your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as mobile usability is a ranking factor.
Monitoring Your Crawl Errors Over Time
Crawl errors can reoccur, so it’s important to monitor them regularly. Here’s how:
- Set up regular crawl reports in Google Search Console to stay informed.
- Use third-party tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush for ongoing site audits.
- Keep your CMS, plugins, and themes up to date to avoid compatibility issues.
- Regularly review your robots.txt and sitemap files to ensure they are accurate.
Conclusion: Keep Your Site Crawlable and Indexed
Crawl errors can harm your site’s visibility, but fixing them is straightforward with the right approach. Regularly monitor your site, optimize your structure, and ensure your pages are accessible to search engines. By doing so, you’ll maintain a strong online presence and maximize your site’s search visibility.