Works, But Google says its not needed

  • I removed this plugin based on help text from Google Webmaster Tools:

    If you have permanently deleted content without intending to replace it with newer, related content, let the old URL return a 404 or 410. Currently Google treats 410s (Gone) the same as 404s (Not found). Returning a code other than 404 or 410 for a non-existent page (or redirecting users to another page, such as the homepage, instead of returning a 404) can be problematic.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Samir Shah

    (@solarissmoke)

    Nothing in what you’ve quoted above says it’s not needed. It says you should return either a 404 or a 410, but not that one is better than the other. In fact Google engineers have stated previously that using a 410 will ensure old results fall out of their index faster.

    Thread Starter alfadelta

    (@alfadelta)

    You have to read Google’s help file, there is for Google no difference in how to response on a 404 or a 410. They even explain not to worry about 404’s. Walk through them and try to fix them is their advice. If you leave the 404’s for what they are, is not a negative impact on SEO.

    • This reply was modified 6 years, 1 month ago by alfadelta.

    Dear Analphabeta Alfadelta,

    404 = temporarily unavailable
    410 = the page is no longer available

    410 http status if you want to convey a message to bots that your “page” won’t come back ever.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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