What does a 404 error indicate?

A 404 error indicates that the requested page could not be found on the server. This typically happens when a user attempts to access a webpage that does not exist at the specified URL. It can occur for various reasons, such as the page being deleted, the URL being typed incorrectly, or the page being moved to a different location without a proper redirection in place. When users encounter a 404 error, they are usually presented with a message indicating that the page they are looking for cannot be found, which helps in troubleshooting navigation issues on the website.

This understanding is crucial for both users and web designers, as it highlights the importance of maintaining current and correct links and providing a user-friendly experience, possibly through a custom 404 error page that guides users back to functional areas of the site.