Message from Google: Increase in “soft-404” pages on

  • Resolved Sarah

    (@naturesnurture)


    8 years, 1 month ago

    Installed this about a week ago, and just got an email today from Google about an Increase in “soft-404” pages. When I check their soft 404 page here https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/2409443?ctx=MCE&ctx=S4

    it says “A soft 404 occurs when your server returns a real page for a URL that doesn’t actually exist on your site. This usually happens when your server handles faulty or non-existent URLs as “OK,” and redirects the user to a valid page like the home page or a “custom” 404 page.

    Does this plugin not also return a 404 response code to Google to let them know that the page doesn’t exist anymore?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Joel James

    (@joelcj91)

    Hi NaturesNature,

    Currently this plugin does not return 404 status. You can set 3 statuses (301, 302 and 307). But I am currently working an improved version of the plugin. From next version onwards you will be able to set 404 too.

    But instead of just redirecting, try to avoid those errors by fixing them.

    Thread Starter Sarah

    (@naturesnurture)

    That makes sense. Thanks for the quick reply, Joel!

    Plugin Author Joel James

    (@joelcj91)

    Hi @naturesnurture

    I have a new version ready to be published. Can you help me to test it? Please find the new version here.

    • This reply was modified 8 years ago by Joel James.
Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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