Nothing sends users bouncing faster than a 404 error. It’s like handing them a map with a big “You Are Nowhere” sign.
These broken pages not only frustrate visitors but also quietly damage your SEO and credibility. Luckily, finding them is easier than you think.
In this first part of our website fix series, we’ll show you how to locate 404 errors using Google Search Console so you can catch them before your customers do.
What Is a 404 Error, Anyway?
A 404 error occurs when a page on your website is requested but no longer exists. It could be a deleted product page, a mistyped URL, or a result of restructured site navigation.
While one or two might seem harmless, search engines don’t agree. A site riddled with 404s can be seen as poorly maintained—and that’s not a reputation you want.
Step-by-Step: How to Find 404s in Google Search Console
To begin, ensure you’ve already explored our comprehensive step-by-step guide to using Google Search Console.
Once you’re in:
- Log into Google Search Console
- Go to search.google.com/search-console and select your property.
- Navigate to the “Pages” Report
- On the left menu, click Index → Pages. This report shows which URLs are indexed or excluded.
- Scroll to “Not Found (404)”
- Under the “Why pages aren’t indexed” section, look for Not Found (404) in the list.
- Click to Expand
- Google will display a list of URLs that triggered 404 errors during its crawls.
- Export the Data (Optional)
- Use the export button in the top-right corner to download a CSV or Google Sheets version of the error list.
That’s it! Now you have a clear view of the pages that need attention.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget Other Tools
If you’re diversifying your search visibility, tools like Bing Webmaster Tools can help fill in the gaps. The interface is similar to GSC and provides an additional view of potential crawl issues.
(And yes—we have a guide for that, too.)
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve found the problem, it’s time to clean up the mess. In the following article, we’ll walk you through how to fix 404 errors—from quick redirects to building custom error pages that keep your visitors happy.
➝ Stay tuned for Part 2: Fixing 404 Errors and Keeping Users on Your Site
