A 404 can result from a deleted page, changed permalink, typo, broken menu item, or plugin conflict. Start with the URL visitors use and check whether the page should still exist. If it should, restore or correct the permalink. If it was intentionally removed, update internal links and redirect only to a genuinely relevant replacement. Sending every missing URL to the homepage can confuse visitors and obscure the fact that the expected content is gone.
In WordPress, inspect the page’s permalink and menu references; plugins and server rules may also manage redirects. Avoid creating long chains, where one old URL redirects through several intermediate paths before reaching the final page. Record the source and destination, then test in a logged-out browser. If you use a redirect plugin, check its logs and confirm the rule is active on the public site.
Google’s AdSense approval guidance lists broken links and redirects among potential navigation concerns. The appropriate fix is an accurate route to the content the visitor expects, not a redirect that only makes the warning disappear.
Example: /privacy-policy-old/ redirects to the homepage. Replace it with a direct redirect to /privacy-policy/, update the footer link, and check that the target page is current and readable. If a page has no replacement, a clear 404 page can help visitors return to a relevant section.
Use SiteReadyScore to identify public URLs that may need attention. Confirm each 404 or redirect in the browser, update the actual WordPress links, clear relevant caches, and retest. A scanner’s result is a starting point; the correct destination depends on the content and user intent.