The 404 Not Found redirect is a technique used to handle requests for Web pages that do not exist or are no longer available.
When a user attempts to access a URL that does not exist on the server, instead of showing the classic 404 error page, the server automatically redirects the visitor to an alternate page.
This redirection can be implemented in several ways, including:
- Redirecting to a customized 404 page offering useful tips or links.
- Redirecting to the homepage of the site.
- Redirecting to a related page or similar content.
The main goal is to improve the user experience, avoiding frustration and keeping visitors on the site.
However, it is important to use this technique with caution.
Redirection should be implemented only when appropriate, such as when a page has been moved or renamed.
In case of permanently removed content, it is preferable to use the 410 Gone status code.
Proper implementation of 404 redirect can help reduce site abandonment rates and improve overall navigation.
How to use Google Search Console to handle 404 errors
To effectively handle 404 errors using Google Search Console, you can follow these steps:
Access the scan errors section
- Sign in to your Google Search Console account
- Select the property of the website you wish to analyze
- In the side menu, click on “Pages” under the “Indexing” section.
- Under the tab “Why pages are not indexed,” look for “Not found (404)”
Resolving 404 errors
For each 404 error identified, assess the situation and adopt one of the following solutions:
- 301 Redirection: If the page has been moved or renamed, implements a 301 redirection to the new URL.
- Restoring the page: If the page was accidentally removed, restore it.
- Update internal links: Correct any incorrect internal links pointing to the non-existing page.
- Removal from sitemap: If the page was intentionally removed, be sure to also remove it from the XML sitemap
- Customizing the 404 page: Create a customized 404 page that offers useful options to visitors, such as a search bar or links to the main sections of the site.