The detailed link analysis provided by Screaming Frog 18.4 transforms SEO strategy from reactive to proactive. By exposing the "neverb" links—those blocked, broken, or nofollowed—SEOs can make informed decisions about site architecture.
pages or specific link-related features introduced or updated around that version. Key Features in Screaming Frog 18.4
A 184 NeverB Link is a specific type of error that can occur when a web page returns a "184 NeverB" status code. This status code indicates that the server has successfully processed the request, but the response has been cached and will not be updated. While this status code may seem harmless, it can have significant implications for website crawlability and search engine rankings. screaming frog seo spider 184 neverb link
: A "Always Follow Canonicals" option in list mode allows for precise auditing of how link signals are being consolidated across duplicate pages.
In Screaming Frog 18.4, the improved "Include" and "Exclude" configuration tabs allow users to effectively filter out these types of links. By using RegEx (Regular Expressions), SEOs can prevent the spider from following "neverb" patterns, ensuring that the crawl remains focused on indexable content. Key Features of the 18.4 Release The detailed link analysis provided by Screaming Frog 18
These versions are designed to bypass the 500-URL limit of the free version without requiring a paid license.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a desktop-based website crawler used to perform comprehensive technical SEO audits. Version 18.4 was a significant update released in early 2023, primarily focusing on bug fixes, performance improvements, and critical API updates. Key Features of the 18.4 Update: Key Features in Screaming Frog 18
Unlike basic cloud crawlers, version 18.4 executes structural rendering locally through an integrated Chromium Web Rendering Service (WRS). This lets it accurately execute client-side JavaScript on heavy applications built with framework architectures like React, Angular, or Vue.js. 2. Core Technical Auditing Mechanics
E-commerce site with 50,000 product pages. Problem: Internal team discovered that de-indexed staging pages were receiving crawl traffic. Solution: Screaming Frog SEO Spider – 184 neverb link audit.
Screaming Frog 18.4 has improved its ability to detect links that have rel="nofollow" , rel="noindex" , or other constraints that block bot navigation. A "neverb" link is a signal that your internal linking strategy might be unintentionally blocking bots from discovering important content, or conversely, wasting crawl budget on irrelevant links. Identifying and Analyzing "Neverb" Links To find these links in your crawl:
This exports a CSV with:
Have you seen one of our printables for sale?
All printables on this site are offered free for personal and classroom use, if you see them for sale outside of our shop please drop a line below and let us know! We never want anyone to pay for, or profit from, a printable that we offer free of charge.
For Teachers
Favorite Printables is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Printables are for personal use only.
Signup below to get all the latest new printables sent straight to your inbox!