Difference between 404 and Soft 404 Error Pages? How to fix them?

A 404 error occurs when a web page is not found, typically due to the page being deleted or moved without proper redirection. On the other hand, a soft 404 error occurs when a page returns a "Page Not Found" status code (404) but still displays content to the user, making it appear as if the page exists.

Here's a breakdown of the differences between 404 and soft 404 error pages, along with how to fix them:

Understanding 404 Error Pages:

A 404 error page, commonly known as "Page Not Found," occurs when a user attempts to access a URL that does not exist on your server. This error indicates that the requested resource is unavailable due to various reasons such as a broken link, deleted page, or mistyped URL. When your server returns a 404 status code, it informs both users and search engines that the requested page does not exist.

Approaches to Resolve the 404 Error Issues:

• Identify and fix broken links: Regularly check for broken links on your website using tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console. Replace broken links with the correct URLs or redirect them to relevant pages.
• Customize 404 error pages: Create custom 404 error pages that provide helpful information to users, such as a search bar, navigation links, or suggestions for similar content. This helps retain users and prevents them from leaving your site.
• Implement 301 redirects: For permanently moved or deleted pages, set up 301 redirects to redirect users and search engines to the most relevant alternative page.

Understanding Soft 404 Error Pages:

Unlike 404 error pages, soft 404 pages return a 200 HTTP status code, indicating that the request was successful. However, the content of these pages suggests that the intended webpage is missing or unavailable. Soft 404 pages often occur when servers redirect users to generic error pages or homepages instead of displaying specific error messages for missing content. Search engines may handle soft 404 pages differently, potentially impacting website indexing and search engine rankings.

Approaches to Resolve the Soft 404 Error Issues:

• Review server configurations: Check your server configurations to ensure that it returns the appropriate HTTP status code (404) for non-existent pages instead of serving soft 404 pages with a 200 status code.
• Improve content relevance: Ensure that your website's content accurately reflects the user's search intent. Avoid thin or low-quality content that may trigger soft 404 errors.
• Customize error messages: Customize error messages for soft 404 pages to inform users that the content they're looking for isn't available. Provide alternative navigation options or suggest related content to keep users engaged.
• Use structured data: Implement structured data markup, such as schema.org, to provide search engines with clear signals about the nature of your content and improve their understanding of your website's structure.

Conclusion:

In summary, distinguishing between 404 and soft 404 errors is essential for maintaining a healthy website and optimizing search engine performance. By understanding the causes and consequences of these errors and implementing the appropriate solutions outlined in this article, website owners can enhance user experience, preserve website authority, and improve overall search engine visibility.