Why Are You Seeing 404 Errors?
A 404 error occurs when a page is missing or has been deleted, and Google is still trying to access it. This can negatively impact SEO and user experience. To fix this, you can redirect the broken URL to a relevant page using Shopify’s built-in URL Redirect feature.
Step 1: Identify 404 Errors in Google Search Console
- Log in to Google Search Console.
- Select your Shopify site.
- In the left menu, go to Pages → Not Found (404).
- Review the list of broken URLs that Google has detected.
Step 2: Redirect Broken URLs in Shopify
Access the URL Redirect Tool
- Log in to your Shopify Admin.
- Click on Content → Menus (old path is Online Store → Navigation)
- Scroll down and click URL Redirects top-right button.
- Click the Create URL redirect button.
Add a Redirect for Each Broken URL
- In the Redirect from field, enter the old/broken URL (e.g.,
/old-product-page). - In the Redirect to field, enter the new/correct URL (e.g.,
/new-product-page). - Click Save Redirect.
🛑 Important: Shopify only supports redirects for URLs after the domain (e.g.,/old-page), not full URLs likehttps://yourstore.com/old-page.
Step 3: Verify the Redirect Works
- Open your browser and enter the old URL (e.g.,
yourstore.com/old-product-page). - Ensure it correctly redirects to the new URL.
- If it doesn’t work, clear your browser cache and test again.
Step 4: Notify Google to Update Indexing
After setting up redirects, inform Google to re-crawl your site:
- Go back to Google Search Console.
- Click on the URL Inspection Tool in the left menu.
- Enter the old URL and check the status.
- If it still shows 404, click Request Indexing to speed up the update.
Best Practices for URL Redirects in Shopify
✅ Redirect old product pages to new relevant products or collections.
✅ Avoid redirect chains (URL A → URL B → URL C). Instead, directly redirect A → C.
✅ Regularly check Google Search Console for new 404 errors.
Conclusion
By using Shopify’s URL Redirects, you can quickly fix 404 errors, maintain SEO rankings, and improve customer experience. If you continue seeing 404 errors, consider reviewing deleted pages and updating your site’s navigation. 🚀
About Jin Alkaid
Jin Alkaid: A Seasoned Shopify Developer
Jin Alkaid is a seasoned Shopify developer with over 10 years of experience in the field. Their expertise lies in creating exceptional online stores that seamlessly blend functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. Whether it’s setting up a new store, optimizing an existing one, or integrating custom features, Jin brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.