Every webmaster dreams of landing on Google’s first page. You pour your blood, sweat, and late-night coffee into crafting killer content, but the traffic just isn’t hitting. If you’ve ticked all the SEO boxes and still can’t figure out what’s holding you back, crawl errors might be the sneaky culprit messing with your rankings.
Here’s the thing — Google doesn’t just stumble onto your site like a lost tourist. It follows a three-step process to decide where you rank:
Crawl: Google’s bots (think of them as digital explorers) scour the web, hopping from link to link to discover new content. This is how they find your site in the first place.
Index: Once your site gets discovered, Google analyzes your content and stashes it in their massive “web library” (aka the index).
Rank: When someone searches for something related to your site, Google pulls up pages from its index and decides which ones deserve the spotlight.
Now here’s where it goes south: if crawl errors disrupt the very first step (crawling), Google can’t index your site. And if your site doesn’t get indexed? You’re basically invisible — lost in the abyss of the internet while your competitors soak up all the clicks and leads.
But don’t sweat it. This guide will break down everything you need to know about crawl errors: what causes them, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to fix them like a pro. By the end, you’ll have all the tools to get Google crawling, indexing, and ranking your site the way it should. Ready to kick crawl errors to the curb? Let’s do this.
What Are Crawl Errors?
Crawl errors happen when Google’s bots can’t navigate your site or specific pages as planned. It’s like Google trying to knock on your door but getting stuck in the bushes or finding a locked gate.
When crawl errors show up, search engines like Google can’t fully explore, understand, or index your site’s content. And if your pages don’t make it into Google’s index? Forget about showing up on the SERP. That’s limited organic traffic and potential customers slipping right through your fingers.
What are Common Crawl Errors on your Websites?
Large websites might look sleek and impressive on the surface, but when it comes to search engine bots crawling them, things can get messy real fast. From broken links to server glitches, crawl errors can seriously mess with how search engines read and index your content. If left unchecked, these errors can sabotage your rankings, traffic, and overall SEO game.
Let’s break down some of the most notorious crawl errors that plague large websites and see how you can tackle them.
#1. DNS Errors
DNS errors pop up when search engines can’t connect your domain name to its IP address. In simpler terms, it’s like trying to visit a website but hitting a dead end because the address leads nowhere.
Why it happens:
#1. Failure to renew your domain name (a surprisingly common oversight).
#2. DNS settings that are misconfigured or incompatible.
#3. Server timeouts or technical glitches.
When DNS errors block search bots, they can’t access any part of your site. If this goes on for too long, your site’s reputation tanks, and search engines might even drop your site from their index. Ouch. For a big website, this is a nightmare scenario – especially if it’s bringing in heavy traffic. Always monitor DNS health to ensure your domain is alive and kicking.
#2. Server Errors (5xx)
Server errors, or 5xx errors, are another biggie. These happen when the web server hosting your site fails to respond to a bot’s or user’s request. Picture knocking on a door and no one answering—frustrating, right?
Common causes:
#1. Server crashes due to overload (high traffic or buggy components).
#2. Issues with cloud hosting or improper configurations.
Big websites are especially vulnerable here. With hundreds (or thousands) of pages and tons of visitors, servers often buckle under the pressure. The result? Search engines can’t crawl your site properly, and that’s a recipe for losing rankings, organic traffic, and credibility. On top of that, users hate landing on error messages, so it hits your UX hard.
Quick tip: Invest in scalable hosting solutions and monitor server health regularly.
#3. Redirect Chains and Loops
Redirect chains and loops are sneaky crawl errors that most site owners don’t even know exist. Here’s the deal:
#1. A redirect chain happens when URL A redirects to URL B, which then redirects to URL C—and so on.
#2. A redirect loop is when two URLs redirect back to each other, creating an endless cycle.
Both issues chew up your crawl budget—the limited number of pages search bots will crawl on your site. For massive websites, this is bad news. If bots spend all their time getting lost in redirect loops, they might miss out on other important pages. End result? Pages go unindexed, hurting your rankings and visibility.
Pro tip: Regularly audit your redirects and fix any unnecessary or broken loops.
#4. 404 Errors
Ah, the classic 404 error—the one error we’ve all seen a million times. A 404 happens when someone (or a search bot) tries to access a page that doesn’t exist. This could be because:
#1. The page was deleted or moved.
#2. The URL was mistyped.
#3. Internal links or backlinks point to the wrong page.
Sure, you can make a fancy 404 page with jokes or cool graphics, but let’s be real—a missing page still sucks for users and search engines. For search bots, too many 404s send a signal that your site is poorly maintained. Users? They’ll just bounce and look for answers elsewhere.
Fix it: Set up proper 301 redirects for deleted or moved pages, and regularly check your site for broken links.
#5. Duplicate Content
Duplicate content is a silent killer. When two or more pages on your site have identical (or nearly identical) content, search engines get confused. They don’t know which version to index or rank, so they often penalize both. For big websites with tons of pages, this is an easy trap to fall into.
What causes duplicate content?
#1. Multiple URLs showing the same content (like example.com/page and example.com/page?ref=123).
#2. Copy-pasted meta descriptions or titles across different pages.
#3. Content syndication without proper canonical tags.
Here’s the thing: search engines reward unique, high-value content. Duplicate pages water down your SEO efforts and push you out of the search results. If bots find duplicates all over the place, they might ignore your pages altogether.
How to fix it: Implement canonical tags, use 301 redirects, and ensure every page has unique, useful content.
Crawl errors are like potholes on the road to SEO success—they slow you down, frustrate visitors, and send search bots packing. For massive websites, managing crawl errors is even more critical because the sheer number of pages increases the chances of problems cropping up.
What can you do?
#1. Regularly audit your site for crawl errors using tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs.
#2. Fix DNS, server, and redirect issues ASAP to avoid harming your rankings.
#3. Clean up broken links, set up proper redirects, and ditch duplicate content.
Stay on top of these crawl errors, and you’ll keep search engines happy, users satisfied, and your SEO strong. Remember—when bots crawl smoothly, rankings follow suit.
What the Tips to Keep your Websites Running Smooth and Crawl Error-Free?
Managing a massive website feels like walking a tightrope. It’s complex, layered, and prone to technical chaos. Crawl errors are inevitable, but when ignored, they can mess up rankings, user experience, and overall site performance.
Here’s how your team can fight off crawl errors, keep the site squeaky clean, and maintain optimal health without losing sleep.
#1. Run Audits Regularly (Fix Small Issues Before They Snowball)
Websites are constantly evolving—new content gets published, pages get updated, and old links break. Even minor changes to site structure or servers can cause technical hiccups. Crawl errors, when unnoticed, can spiral into serious problems, eating up your crawl budget and hurting your organic visibility.
Here’s the fix:
Schedule automated audits: Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Screaming Frog to set up regular deep dives. Depending on the size of your site, aim for a weekly or monthly audit.
Automate reporting: Set alerts so the SEO or dev team gets instant notifications when errors pop up. No one has time to manually scan thousands of pages!
Focus on key areas: Audits should highlight critical issues—like DNS errors, server issues, broken links, and redirects—so you can prioritize fixes.
An audit acts like a pulse check for your site. By catching crawl errors early, you prevent larger disasters, like pages dropping out of Google’s index or valuable content being ignored by search engines.
#2. Build a Kickass Maintenance Plan
Here’s the deal—large websites can’t be fixed on the fly. They need a structured maintenance plan to ensure crawl errors get squashed promptly and prevent repeat issues. Without a system, chaos reigns.
How to create a smart plan:
Prioritize errors: After running an audit, sort issues based on impact and severity. For instance:
Critical errors: Server issues, broken links, or duplicate pages that hurt traffic and SEO.
Secondary issues: Redirect chains, slow-loading pages, or minor HTML errors.
Allocate responsibilities: Break down tasks across your team. Devs handle server errors and broken code. SEO teams tackle content duplication, 404 fixes, and redirects.
Focus on high-value pages: Fix priority landing pages, product pages, and high-traffic content first. These pages drive revenue and rankings, so they should always be spotless.
Track fixes: Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to assign, track, and monitor progress.
A good maintenance plan ensures no crawl error slips through the cracks. Everyone knows their role, issues are addressed in order, and the site stays in peak condition.
#3. Optimize Page Speed (Slow Sites Kill Rankings)
Nobody likes waiting—neither visitors nor search engines. Slow-loading pages are a major contributor to crawl errors. When bots run into delays, they might stop crawling altogether. Plus, slow pages drive users away faster than you can say “bounce rate.”
How to speed things up:
Optimize images: Huge images are the #1 culprit of slow pages. Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to compress them without killing quality.
Clean up code: Minimize CSS, JavaScript, and unnecessary code bloat. If your site is full of unused scripts, you’re just slowing yourself down.
Leverage browser caching: Caching allows browsers to store static site data so returning visitors get a super-fast experience.
Use a CDN: Content Delivery Networks (like Cloudflare) help distribute site content faster by loading it from servers closest to the user.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to pinpoint speed issues and get actionable fixes. A fast website improves the crawling process, user experience, and your SEO rankings—all at once.
#4. Use Tools (Because Manual Checks Won’t Cut It)
Large websites with thousands of pages are prone to crawl errors—it’s just the nature of the beast. Trying to fix everything manually? Yeah, that’s not happening. That’s why automation tools are your best friend.
Why tools are a game-changer
Scan entire sites in minutes: Tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Screaming Frog can analyze thousands of pages, flagging crawl errors like 404s, redirects, duplicate content, or server issues.
Generate detailed reports: Get clear breakdowns of errors so your team knows exactly what to fix.
Check crawlability: Tools highlight sitemap issues, orphaned pages, and broken internal links that impact how bots navigate your site.
Integrate with other SEO tasks: Many tools also track keyword rankings, backlinks, and content performance, helping you streamline the whole SEO workflow.
Don’t just rely on one tool. Cross-check results using multiple platforms to ensure no crawl error goes unnoticed. It’s like having an entire army of bots ensuring your site’s health 24/7.
#5. Monitor, Improve, Repeat
Fixing crawl errors isn’t a one-and-done job. Websites evolve, and with that evolution comes new issues. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to monitor your site continuously and make improvements regularly.
Here’s how to keep things tight:
Run audits routinely: A monthly audit will keep errors under control and prevent technical debt.
Fix recurring issues: If you notice the same errors (e.g., duplicate content or broken links) popping up, address the root cause to stop them for good.
Review sitemaps: Ensure your XML sitemap is always up-to-date, so search engines can crawl your site effectively.
Monitor analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to identify crawling issues or sudden drops in performance.
Continuous improvement keeps your site in shape. It’s the key to ensuring search engines can crawl every page, index your content, and keep your rankings soaring.
Keeping large websites clean and free of crawl errors isn’t an easy task, but it’s 100% doable with the right systems in place. Regular audits, structured maintenance, page speed optimization, and the use of top-notch tools will help you stay on top of things.
Don’t let crawl errors drag your site down. Stay proactive, act fast, and keep both bots and visitors happy. Because at the end of the day, a well-maintained, error-free website is a powerhouse for traffic, rankings, and growth.
What are the Best Practices to Keep Crawl Errors in Check?
Crawl errors can sneak up on your website like uninvited guests at a party, so staying proactive is the key to keeping them under control. Here are a few solid practices to make sure search engines crawl your site smoothly and efficiently:
#1. Keep Your URLs Clean and Organized
Make sure all your important URLs are neat, clearly structured, and easy to follow. Avoid messy, overly long URLs filled with random dynamic parameters like ?id=23&ref=xyz. Search engines struggle with such gibberish, and it can cause crawl errors to pop up unnecessarily. Use clean, descriptive URLs that humans and bots can read without breaking a sweat.
#2. Regular Site Audits Are Non-Negotiable
Run regular SEO and site audits like your website’s health depends on it—because it does! These audits help you spot crawl errors and fix potential issues before they snowball into bigger problems. Tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Semrush can give you real-time insights into the state of your website. Catching issues early keeps your site performing at its peak and ensures your pages stay indexable.
#3. Monitor Your Redirects Closely
Redirect chains and loops are sneaky culprits that eat up your crawl budget. Keep an eye on your 301 and 302 redirects to make sure they’re pointing straight to the final destination—no unnecessary detours. Redirects should be efficient and minimal. The fewer hoops search bots have to jump through, the better.
#4. Fix Broken Links Like It’s Your Day Job
Nothing screams “crawl errors” like broken links scattered across your site. Regularly check for 404 errors (dead pages) and replace or redirect those links. Broken links frustrate users and confuse search engines. Tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs can scan your entire site and show you exactly where broken links are hiding.
#5. Submit a Well-Structured Sitemap
Think of your sitemap as a roadmap for search engines. A clean, updated sitemap helps search bots find and crawl your pages without getting lost. Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to make sure all your critical URLs are on their radar.
#6. Optimize Robots.txt Without Blocking Important Pages
Your robots.txt file tells search engines which pages to crawl and which ones to skip. While it’s useful for keeping certain pages out of search results (like login pages), be careful not to block important content accidentally. A misconfigured robots.txt file can easily cause crawl errors and prevent critical pages from being indexed.
#7. Speed Up Your Site
Page speed matters more than you think. Slow-loading pages can cause crawl errors because search engines have limited time to crawl your site. Compress images, enable browser caching, and minimize your JavaScript and CSS files to keep things snappy. Fast sites not only improve crawl efficiency but also deliver a better user experience.
#8. Stay on Top of Server Performance
If your server crashes or struggles to handle high traffic, search engines might hit you with dreaded 5xx errors. Monitor your server performance and invest in reliable hosting, especially for large websites with heavy traffic. A healthy server means fewer crawl errors and smoother indexing.
#9. Keep Duplicate Content in Check
Duplicate content confuses search engines and wastes your crawl budget. Consolidate similar pages, use canonical tags, and make sure every page adds value to your site. Unique, high-quality content helps search bots prioritize your pages and keeps crawl errors at bay.
#10. Use Crawl Monitoring Tools
Large websites are prone to crawl errors simply because of their scale. Use crawl monitoring tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or DeepCrawl to scan your site regularly. These tools can pinpoint errors, track changes, and give you actionable insights to stay ahead of the game.
Preventing crawl errors is all about being proactive and keeping your site tidy, fast, and easy to navigate for both users and search engines. By cleaning up URLs, fixing broken links, running audits, and optimizing server performance, you’re making it easier for search bots to index your content.
Stay on top of these practices, and your site will thank you with improved crawlability, higher rankings, and a smoother user experience. Crawl errors? Not on your watch.
How frequently should you check and correct crawl errors?
You should definitely keep an eye on crawl errors regularly. A good rule of thumb is to check the crawl error reports once a month. It’s an easy way to stay on top of any issues that could mess with your site’s performance.
Ignoring crawl errors for too long can really hurt your SEO and mess with your organic traffic. When search engines can’t properly crawl your pages, they can’t index them, which means they won’t show up in search results. That’s a big deal!
By reviewing your crawl errors monthly, you can catch problems before they snowball into bigger issues. Fixing broken links, missing pages, or redirect loops quickly can really boost your SEO game.
If you let crawl errors slide, it can tank your rankings. It’s all about maintaining a smooth experience for both users and search engines. So, whenever you spot a crawl error, act fast and clean it up.
A good site audit should include this as a regular task, keeping your site running smoothly. In the long run, staying on top of crawl errors ensures your website’s healthy and visible in search results. Keep checking in every month to stay ahead of the game.
This little habit can save you tons of headaches down the road and keep your rankings solid.
How can you monitor for crawl issues?
Monitoring crawl issues is super important for keeping your site in top shape. There are a few ways to keep tabs on crawl errors, and they’re pretty straightforward.
First up, Google Search Console is your best friend. It’s free and gives you direct insight into any crawl errors Google is encountering on your site. You can easily spot things like broken links or pages that can’t be crawled.
Bing Webmaster Tools is another solid option. It’s similar to Google’s, just for Bing’s crawler. If you’re serious about SEO, you’ll want to check both platforms.
Then, there are also some handy SEO tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs. These tools have built-in crawl analysis features that dive deeper into crawl errors and provide you with detailed reports. It’s a bit more advanced, but worth it for a more comprehensive look.
By using these tools, you can quickly find out if search engines are running into crawl issues, like broken pages or redirects that aren’t working. The quicker you fix these crawl errors, the better your site’s chances of ranking higher.
So, keep your crawl error game strong by checking your tools regularly. The sooner you spot issues, the sooner you can fix them, keeping everything running smoothly for both users and search engines.
How can I view my current crawl errors?
If you want to see your current crawl errors, Google Search Console is the easiest place to start. It gives you a detailed look at what’s going wrong when Google tries to crawl your site. You’ll be able to spot things like broken links, missing pages, or anything else that’s stopping Google’s bot from doing its thing. It’s pretty straightforward and super helpful for keeping track of issues that might hurt your rankings.
Another good tool to use is Screaming Frog. This one’s a bit more advanced, but it’s a game-changer for digging deep into your crawl errors. It’ll generate detailed logs that tell you exactly where your site’s having trouble. If you’re all about getting into the nitty-gritty, it’s a solid choice.
Once you’re in Google Search Console, go to the “Crawl” section and click on “Crawl Errors.” You’ll get a list of everything Google’s struggling with. From there, you can fix things like 404 errors, missing pages, and redirects that aren’t working.
It’s important to check these reports regularly, though. The sooner you spot crawl errors, the quicker you can fix them, keeping your site running smoothly and your SEO in good shape.
How often should I check for new crawl errors?
You’ll want to check for crawl errors pretty regularly to stay ahead of any issues. It’s a good idea to peek into Google Search Console at least once a week or, if you’re busy, once a month. Crawl errors can sneak up at any time, so it’s better to stay on top of things rather than let them pile up.
If you’re really on the ball, running a full site crawl once a week is perfect. That way, you’ll catch any new crawl errors right away and fix them before they can mess with your SEO.
Even if you don’t notice any issues, it’s good to check in every so often. You never know when new crawl errors like broken links or blocked pages might show up. It’s all about being proactive so nothing goes unnoticed.
By keeping an eye on your crawl errors regularly, you’ll keep your site running smoothly and avoid any surprises that could hurt your search rankings. Just stay on top of it, and you’ll be golden.
Can Old Crawl Errors Get Removed Once They Are Fixed?
Yep, once you’ve fixed a crawl error, search engines will eventually re-crawl those pages and remove the error from their reports. When the issue is sorted, Google or other search engines will see that everything’s working properly and won’t report those crawl errors anymore.
But it’s important to give it some time. After you fix the problem, it might take a little while for search engines to revisit those URLs and update their status. So don’t worry if the crawl errors don’t disappear immediately—just be patient.
Once the error is gone and the page is accessible again, search engines should stop flagging it. That means your site is in the clear, and you don’t have to stress about those old crawl errors hurting your SEO. Just keep an eye on things, and you’ll be good to go!
Conclusion
Crawl errors might seem like small bumps on the road, but they can quickly snowball into major problems that hurt your site’s rankings, speed, and visibility. Ignoring them is a recipe for lost traffic, frustrated users, and a site that search engines simply can’t trust.
Even the tiniest issues—like a stray 404 error or a messy redirect chain—can disrupt how search bots index your pages. And when bots can’t crawl your site smoothly, your chances of appearing on the first page of search results take a nosedive.
To stay ahead, regularly analyze your website, fine-tune your SEO strategies, and address crawl errors promptly. A clean, error-free site isn’t just about search engines—it’s about creating a seamless experience for your users. The better your site performs, the more search engines will reward you with higher rankings and visibility.
In the end, staying proactive about crawl errors is the difference between a website that thrives and one that gets lost in the digital crowd. Fix them, optimize regularly, and watch your site climb to where it belongs—right at the top of the SERPs.
