Google Premier Partner
Meta Business PartnerWhat is a 410 status code?
A 410 status code (Gone) is an HTTP status code a server uses to say that a page has been deliberately and permanently removed and will not come back. It differs from a 404 error, which only says the page was not found. Google treats a 410 much like a 404.
Why is a 410 status code important?
- Clear message: you tell search engines that the removal is intentional.
- Cleaning up: removed pages drop out of the search results.
- Control: you can tell apart pages that are gone on purpose from pages that are missing by accident.
Examples of a 410 status code
- A store permanently removes a discontinued product from its range.
- A company deletes outdated press releases that have no replacement.
- A hacked site is cleaned up and the spam pages return a 410.
How do you use a 410 status code?
Use a 410 for pages you have removed on purpose and that have no replacement. If a suitable successor exists, choose a 301 redirect instead. Set the status code on the server or through a plugin and check the result in your crawl as part of technical SEO.