The HTTP 410 Gone status code, also known as “410 Content deleted,” indicates that the requested resource has been intentionally and permanently removed from the server and will no longer be available.
Unlike the 404 Not Found code, which suggests possible future availability of the resource, 410 clearly communicates that the content has been permanently deleted.
This code is particularly useful for SEO purposes, as it informs search engines that the content should be removed from their indexes.
It is recommended for use in situations such as:
- Pages of expired events
- Products no longer available
- Limited time promotional content
- Pages of authors or employees no longer associated with the company
The implementation of 410 can speed up the de-indexing process by search engines, helping to keep the site index clean and up-to-date.
However, it is important to use it with caution, making sure that the content is indeed intended never to become available again.
410 Content deleted: how it affects Google’s crawling budget
The HTTP 410 Gone status code has a significant impact on Google’s crawling budget management:
Positive effects on crawl budget
- Faster removal from the index: The 410 code signals to Google that a page has been intentionally and permanently removed. This leads to faster removal from the index than a 404, generally within a few days.
- Budget crawl optimization: Using 410 for actually removed pages prevents Googlebot from wasting resources in an attempt to repeatedly re-crawl nonexistent pages.
- Prioritization of important pages: By quickly removing pages that are no longer needed, you allow Google to focus crawling on the most relevant and up-to-date pages on the site.
Crawl budget optimization
- Site cleanup: Use 410 to quickly remove spam pages or compromised content after a malware attack.
- Site speed: Improve overall site performance to encourage more efficient crawling.
In conclusion, the strategic use of code 410 can contribute significantly to crawl budget optimization, allowing Google to focus on the most relevant and up-to-date content on the site.