Finding a 404 does not tell you what to do next; the URL context does
Redirecting every missing page to the homepage is quick, but not necessarily useful. When no relevant replacement exists, a normal 404 can be clearer than a misleading redirect.
The point is not to repeat the tool interface. It is to understand the problem that leads you to the tool and what deserves a second look before the result reaches production.
Where the problem usually starts
These are the areas that most often change the outcome, and each one calls for a different decision.
200
The request succeeded, but verify the content is actually the intended page.
301
Useful for a genuine permanent move to a relevant replacement.
302
Typically represents a temporary redirect.
404
Normal for a missing resource; fix internal links that still point to it.
410
Can explicitly indicate deliberate removal in some cases.
500
A server error that needs diagnosis, not a random redirect.
A workflow that catches mistakes earlier
Test a small known case, understand the result, then scale the change.
Start with internal links
You have full control over fixing them.
Identify the cause
Typo, deletion, redirect issue, or server failure?
Choose the right action
Fix the URL, redirect, keep 404, or repair the server.
Run the audit again
Confirm redirect chains or new errors were not introduced.
Test the real case in the tool
Start with a sample you understand, compare the output with what you expected, and only then use it on a larger payload, URL set, or configuration.
How do you know the result is actually better?
A successful result is not simply one that produced output. Ask whether the structure, rule, URL, or report is easier to explain, whether conflicting signals were removed, and whether another developer can understand what changed without guessing.
Questions that come up during real use
Should every 404 redirect to the homepage?
Are all 404s bad for SEO?
What does 500 mean?
Should external links be checked?
Related tools for the next step
These links belong to the same developer workflow rather than acting as a generic list.