Monitor and Manage 404 Errors

SEO Repair Kit’s 404 Monitor automatically tracks requests to missing URLs on your website. It helps you identify frequently requested 404 pages, review request details, and redirect important missing URLs to relevant destinations.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to view 404 errors, filter and review records, create a redirect, and manage your 404 logs.

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How to Monitor 404 Errors

1. Open the 404 Monitor

In your WordPress Dashboard, go to:

SEO Repair Kit → Links Manager → 404 Monitor

If no 404 errors have been recorded yet, you will see No 404 Errors Yet.

SEO Repair Kit automatically logs 404 errors when requests are made to missing URLs on your website. You do not need to start the 404 Monitor manually.

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2. Review Your 404 Errors

Once 404 errors are recorded, the dashboard displays your 404 statistics and error logs.

At the top, you can review:

Total 404 Errors — Total number of recorded 404 occurrences.

Unique URLs — Number of different URLs that generated 404 errors.

Log Entries — Number of recorded 404 log entries.

Most Hit 404 — The missing URL with the highest number of recorded requests.

Below the statistics, 404 Error Logs provides details about each error, including:

URL, Hits, IP Address, User Agent, First Seen, Last Seen, and Actions.

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How to Search and Filter 404 Errors

Use the filtering options when you want to find specific 404 records.

You can:

• Use Filter by URL to search for a specific missing URL.
• Use Filter by IP to find requests associated with an IP address.
• Use Sort by and the order option to change how records are displayed.
• Click Apply Filters to apply your selections.
• Click Reset to clear the filters.

This lets you quickly narrow down the records you want to investigate.

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How to Create a Redirect From a 404 Error

Not every 404 needs a redirect. However, if a missing URL has moved or has a relevant replacement, you can create a redirect directly from its 404 record.

1. Find the 404 URL and Click the Action Button

In 404 Error Logs, locate the URL you want to redirect.

Click the button in the Actions column.

SEO Repair Kit will take you to the Redirection screen.

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2. Configure the Redirection

The selected 404 URL is automatically added to the Source URL field.

Complete the redirect settings:

Source URL — Automatically contains the missing URL selected from the 404 Monitor.

Target URL — Enter the relevant working URL where visitors should be sent.

Redirect Type — Choose the appropriate redirect type. Use 301 – Moved Permanently when the URL has permanently moved.

Use Regular Expression — Leave this disabled for a normal redirect unless you specifically need pattern-based matching.

After reviewing the information, click Add Redirection.

Important: Only redirect a 404 when there is a useful and relevant replacement. Avoid redirecting unrelated missing URLs to your homepage.

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Manage Your 404 Records

The 404 Monitor also provides tools for managing and exporting your records.

Bulk Actions

Select multiple records using their checkboxes, choose an available Bulk Action, and click Apply.

Export CSV

Click Export CSV to export the available 404 records for reporting or offline review.

Refresh Stats

Click Refresh Stats to reload the latest 404 statistics and records.

Clear All Logs

Click Clear All Logs when you intentionally want to remove the existing 404 monitoring history.

Important: Export any records you want to keep before clearing the logs.

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Should Every 404 Error Be Redirected?

No. A 404 does not automatically require a redirect.

Create a redirect when an old page has permanently moved or when there is a clear and relevant replacement.

For example:

/old-services/ → /services/

If the URL was never valid or there is no useful replacement, it can remain a 404.

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What’s the Difference Between Links Scan and 404 Monitor?

Links Scan checks links contained within your WordPress content and identifies links that may be broken.

404 Monitor records requests made to missing URLs on your own website.

Using both tools helps you identify different types of link issues.