Is it harmful to have a Backlink pointing to 404 page

[LandscapePhotographer]

Through this wonderful site, I am quickly getting a (very!) basic idea of SEO.

In this light I have been checking the backlinks that exist to my website and have found some pointing at 404 not found errors, as since they were posted i have edited my site.

My question is, does it hurt the websites raking or Domain ration if the backlink points to a 404 error?

And if it does what is the best way to fix it? I imagine the best is to ask the person who added the backlink to edit it but this might not be possible.

Also, I am using the website smallseotools to analyze my website. Is this the best tool or can people recommend better?

Many Thanks

 

[MisterXYZ]

Better redirect (301) those post to other similar posts or homepage.

So that there is no 404 error.

 

[Mr Positive]

Disavow them if you feel that rankings are tanking because of it

 

[Nut-Nights]

Its not going to have any negative impact, unless the number is way too high.

 

[LandscapePhotographer]

Its not going to have any negative impact, unless the number is way too high.

Sorry, do you mean the number of 404 errors?

 

[LandscapePhotographer]

Better redirect (301) those post to other similar posts or homepage.

So that there is no 404 error.

OK so just use a redirect tool in Word Press (thats how i do my website)?

 

[Nut-Nights]

Sorry, do you mean the number of 404 errors?

Yes.

 

[LandscapePhotographer]

Disavow them if you feel that rankings are tanking because of it

Annoyingly i dont know how to find out if they are affecting the site. Is that quite an advanced level to be able to work that out?