Technical Definition
A 404 status code indicates the requested page doesn't exist. Google will eventually remove 404 pages from its index. Having some 404s is normal and not penalized. However, many 404s from previously important pages (especially those with backlinks) waste link equity. Consider 301 redirecting valuable 404s to relevant pages or implementing proper 410 (Gone) for permanently removed content.
Simple Explanation (ELI13)
A 404 error means 'page not found.' It happens when someone tries to visit a page that doesn't exist. Having some 404s is totally normal and won't hurt your SEO. But if you delete a popular page with good rankings, you should redirect it to something similar instead of leaving it as a 404.
Related Terms
410 Gone, Soft 404, Redirect, Broken Links
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