How to check and adjust the server response codes
What does the server response code influence
The necessity to adjust the HTTP-codes appears with changes on the website. For example, disposal of pages, transition to a new CMS, change of URL-addresses. In this case, a webmaster can use the code correction for controlling the search engine indexation and successful redirection from one page to another.
Classification and difference of answer codes
Information codes. Codes, starting on 1, tell about the successful query receive and start of the process of data transaction. Example: 102 Processing.
Successful completion of the query. If the server status check shows a code, the first number of which is a 2 - it is a signal about the positive server answer in the browser and for the web robots. Example: 200 OK.
Redirection codes. Server HTTP-answers, which start on 3, are in charge of redirection. They are used for successful navigation between URL. Example: 301 Moved Permanently.
HTTP-bug codes. 4 and 5 are class markers, which signalize about bugs on the user's side or malfunctions in the server functionality. Example: 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error.

Widely-spread server response codes
200 OK
301 Moved Permanently

302 Found
304 Not Modified
403 Forbidden
404 Not Found
- stop the indexation of deleted pages by the robot;
- exclude the 200 answer and unneeded content duplication.

410 Gone
422 Unprocessable Entity
500 Internal Server Error
503 Service Unavailable
This code can also be used when the server is under maintenance. Web robot will receive the needed signal and analyze the pages later.
504 Gateway Timeout
How to find out server statuses for website pages
Browser options and special apps. Code value is in the Status column in the worksheet Network in Google Chrome.
To get this data, you have to open the needed page of the site in the browser, then press F12 to activate the webmaster's functional board.
Also, in the browser you can download the plugin Redirect Path.
Free resource for diagnosing the answer codes is the analysis of one page or complex scanning of a few of them at the same time.

How to adjust the server response codes
Successful site answer to the query:
header('HTTP/1.1 200 OK');
header('HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found');
header('HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently');
header('Location: http://mysite.com/');
Conclusion
With the help of a correct status adjustment, you can give the needed signal to the search engine, influence the process of site indexation and complete an effective page redirection.
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