Get to know more about the HTTP status code 410 Gone, learn how it compares to 404 Not found error, and its impact on web management
Have you ever thought about what happens when a website or page is permanently removed? The 410 Gone HTTP status code explains everything. This code tells browsers and search engines that the content is gone and won't come back. But there's more to it than that!
In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the 410 response code: what it means, what causes it, and how it can impact your website’s performance and SEO.
HTTP status codes are standard messages sent from web servers to browsers to show the result of a request. These three-digit numbers serve as a common language between servers and clients, telling whether a request was successful, redirected, or had an error.
Status codes are categorized into five main groups:
The HTTP 410 Gone response status code is a client-side error indicating that the web page or requested resource has been permanently removed from the origin server. Unlike some other error codes, this http response code explicitly states that the content was intentionally removed and is no longer available.
When browsing, knowing the difference between 410 and 404 errors can help you understand whether a page is permanently gone or just temporarily unavailable.
Both 410 and 404 status code indicate missing content, but they carry different implications:
Content deliberately removed, no future availability.
When this code is used, it tells search engines and users that this page or file was removed on purpose, and there's no reason to attempt accessing it again in the future.
Content not found, may be temporary or permanent.
The 404 status code means that the server could not locate the requested content. This error is more ambiguous than the 410, as it doesn't indicate whether the content was intentionally removed or is temporarily missing.
Pages with 404 errors are often checked periodically by search engines, under the assumption that the target resource might return in the future. This makes 404 useful for content that could be reinstated, such as pages temporarily unavailable due to maintenance or minor website changes.
The choice between 404 and 410 status codes depends on the specific situation and web maintenance needs.
Several typical situations lead to a status code 410 Gone error, indicating that the content has been permanently removed from the server:
When products are no longer available or have been phased out permanently, a 410 status signals that the page or information for that product has been taken down intentionally, rather than temporarily, and will not be reintroduced.
For time-sensitive promotions, deals, or seasonal offers, a 410 status code is often used once the promotion ends. This helps communicate to both users and search engines that the offer has concluded and will not be available again.
Blog posts may be removed if they contain outdated information, were part of a content audit, or for legal reasons. A 410 status informs visitors that the post no longer exists and that it is permanently unavailable, avoiding confusion about the expectation that it will be republished.
In cases where user accounts are permanently deleted, such as by user request or due to policy violations, a 410 status on profile or associated pages confirms that the account and related content have been removed from the platform without plans to restore it.
When API versions are retired, a 410 status on deprecated endpoints communicates to developers and integrations that the endpoint is permanently gone, and users need to transition to newer versions or alternatives. This helps developers avoid attempts to access defunct API resources.
Scenario: You had a blog post with the URL /blog/2023/special-announcement, but the post is no longer relevant, and you've permanently removed it.
HTTP Response:
HTTP/1.1 410 Gone
Content-Type: text/html
Response Body (optional): "This article has been removed and is no longer available."
Scenario: An e-commerce site discontinues a product. The page /products/1234 is removed from the catalog and will not return.
HTTP Response:
HTTP/1.1 410 Gone
Content-Type: application/json
Response Body (optional): { "message": "This product is no longer available" }
Scenario: A document was hosted at /files/whitepaper.pdf, but it's outdated and no longer available.
HTTP Response:
HTTP/1.1 410 Gone
Content-Type: text/plain
Response Body (optional): "This document has been permanently removed."
These examples illustrate the 410 status code in scenarios where content is removed with no plans to restore it.
The 410 Gone status code has notable effects on both search engine crawlers and the overall user experience:
When users land on a page that returns a 410 Gone status, it has a significant impact on their experience by providing clarity about the content’s availability:
To effectively implement a 410 Gone response code on your server, follow these steps to ensure that removed content is correctly handled and communicated:
1. Access Server Configuration
Start by logging into your server's configuration files, typically accessible through control panels or direct file management. This step allows you to specify which URLs should return a 410 status code.
2. Identify Removed Content
Determine which pages or resources are permanently removed and won’t be restored. This could include outdated products, expired offers, or deleted user content. Listing these URLs ensures only the correct pages receive a 410 response.
3. Configure Response Rules
Set up the rules within your server configuration to return a 410 status for each identified URL. This can be done in .htaccess for Apache servers, or through specific settings in NGINX or other server management tools. This setup directs the server to return a 410 response when users or crawlers access the designated URLs.
4. Test Implementation
After configuration, test each URL to ensure it correctly returns a 410 status. You can use developer tools, SEO audit tools, or online HTTP status checkers to verify that the response is implemented as expected.
5. Monitor Results
Regularly monitor the URLs for any crawler feedback or unexpected issues. This includes tracking de-indexing in search engines, analyzing server logs, and ensuring that the 410 response continues to deliver the intended SEO and user experience benefits.
When implementing a 410 Gone error, website owners can create a custom 410 error page to provide additional information to users. If there's a new URL for the content, it's better to use a redirect instead.
If you encounter a 410 Gone error unexpectedly or need to correct an unintentional response, follow these steps to diagnose and address the issue:
Verify Intentional Removal
Confirm that the content or page in question was intended to be permanently removed. If the removal was accidental, consider restoring the content or adjusting the response code to reflect the correct status, such as a 404 for a temporary absence.
Check Server Configuration
Review your server configuration files to ensure the 410 response is correctly set only for the intended URLs. Sometimes, misconfigurations can result in unintended 410 responses, so double-check any settings in .htaccess or NGINX configuration files.
Review Code References
Ensure that any internal links or references to the removed URL are updated or removed. If links to the deleted page remain in your code, this can cause confusion for users and bots, potentially leading them to a dead end.
Test Alternative URLs
For users or crawlers needing similar information, identify alternative URLs that may serve as suitable replacements. This can help redirect traffic to relevant content if the 410 response was unintended.
Monitor Error Logs
Keep an eye on server error logs to identify recurring 410 errors or unexpected accesses to deleted pages. Logs can reveal whether users or bots are frequently attempting to access removed content, helping you decide if further action or redirection is needed.
Implementing the 410 Gone HTTP response status code properly can help contribute to a more efficient web resource management. Website owners can boost their SEO, make better use of their crawl budget, and offer a smoother user experience by clearly showing that certain content is no longer available.
Using the 410 code strategically, whether for old blog posts, discontinued products, or expired promotions, can help keep your website clean and optimized, focusing on current and relevant content.
By using the right methods, you can keep your website neat and easy to use, and also improve how well it ranks in search results.
The HTTP 410 Gone status code tells browsers and search engines that the requested content has been permanently removed and won’t be available again.
A 410 code indicates that content is permanently gone, while a 404 suggests that content is missing but might return, which is why search engines periodically check 404 pages.
The 410 code prompts search engines to remove content faster from their index, freeing up crawl resources and improving site SEO by keeping only active pages indexed.
Yes, a 410 status code helps search engines remove non-existent content faster, which streamlines your index and allows them to focus on active, relevant pages, ultimately improving SEO.
Yes, using a 410 code stops search engines from re-crawling removed pages, which frees up server resources and improves crawl efficiency on large or active sites.
Yes, it's ideal for marking outdated or irrelevant content as permanently gone, making it clear to users and search engines that the information won’t return.
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