Google showing me a 404 link from an external source?

[theLotter]

In my list of 404 errors from Google webmaster I have one with the "linked from" section showing an external link.  This seems like a broken link (which obviously I will try and fix to get the link juice) but why would Google recognize it as a 404?

From Google:

| URL: | www.broken URL |

|

| Error details | In Sitemaps | Linked from | |

<colgroup><col></colgroup>
| http://externalwebsite.com |
|   |

|

[SEOAndy]

bit odd that you see that complaint in all honesty. I wouldn't worry too much about it, just take a look at where that "broken link" points to and make sure its not going to a 404 on your site.

[theLotter]

Right, it's a broken link where the webmaster added an extra space which is causing it to go to a 404 error - easily identifiable and fixable (if the webmaster responds to me)

I was just confused about why this showed up on my list from Google in the first place and want to make sure it's not actually causing me harm....

[SEOAndy]

it sounds more like a warning about something that is easy to fix and won't be harming your rankings.

I'd suggest that until the webmaster responds you add a 301 redirect including the "broken" link space to your htaccess file. see http://perishablepress.com/blank-space-whitespace-character-htaccess/ for info

[theLotter]

Thanks - I'll do that!