What Are Soft 404 Errors and How to Solve Them in WordPress

October 7, 2022

If there is an award for the most common error on the internet, then 404 would win first prize.

It’s so often, in fact, that Google lists 404 as one of the top 5 most common errors.

But why is that?

And what does soft 404 mean? Is it different from a 404 error? Does it have the same reasons as a 404 error?

In this article, I’ll answer the common reason why soft 404 occurs and how to fix it.

So further a due, let’s get started!

What is a Soft 404 Error?

The soft 404 error is not recognized as an official status code because the server does not notify a soft 404 response to a browser while browsing; thus, there is no such thing as a soft 404 error status code.

Think of soft 404 as describing a situation when the server provides a webpage and responds with a 200 OK response code, signaling success while the web page or content is really absent.

The Purpose of A 404 Response Code

All codes in the 4xx series of answers indicate that the request could not be performed because the page was not located.

The official definition states:

4xx (Client Error): The request has incorrect syntax or cannot be completed.

The 404 result needs to be clarified, and it is unclear whether the webpage will reappear.

Common Misconceptions About 404 and Soft 404 Errors

There are several misconceptions about 404 and soft 404 errors. Let’s clarify some of these to provide a better understanding:

Soft 404s Are Less Harmful: Some believe that because soft 404s return a 200 OK status, they are less harmful than standard 404 errors. In reality, soft 404s can be just as detrimental to SEO and user experience because they mislead search engines and users about the content’s availability.
All 404 Pages Should Be Redirected: While it might seem beneficial to redirect all 404 pages, this can lead to soft 404 errors if done incorrectly. Only redirect pages if there is a relevant and equivalent page available. Otherwise, it’s better to return a proper 404 status code.
Custom 404 Pages Fix Soft 404 Errors: Custom 404 pages improve user experience but do not fix the underlying issue of soft 404 errors. The server must return the correct status code (404 or 410) to ensure search engines understand that the content is missing.

Reasons Why “404 Page Not Found” Errors Happen:

If someone accidentally deletes a webpage, the server sends back a “404 Page Not Found” response.
If a link points to a webpage that doesn’t exist, the server returns a “404 Page Not Found” message.

The official documentation explains that a 404 status code doesn’t clarify if a page is gone temporarily or permanently:

“The 404 (Not Found) status code indicates that the server could not find a current version of the requested resource or doesn’t want to confirm that it exists.

A 404 status code doesn’t reveal whether the absence of the page is temporary or permanent…”

In simple terms, a “404 Page Not Found” error means that the browser requested a page that couldn’t be found on the server.

Impact on SEO

Soft 404 errors can have a detrimental effect on your website’s SEO. Search engines like Google aim to provide the best user experience by delivering relevant and useful content.

When a page returns a soft 404 error, it signals to the search engine that the content may not be valuable or relevant, leading to lower rankings.

Here’s how soft 404 errors impact SEO:

Crawling and Indexing: Search engine bots waste resources crawling pages that appear to be OK but lack content. This inefficiency can lead to fewer pages being indexed.
User Experience Signals: When users encounter soft 404 errors, they are likely to leave the site quickly, increasing the bounce rate. High bounce rates are a negative signal to search engines, indicating poor user experience.
Link Equity Loss: Pages with soft 404 errors do not pass link equity effectively. This means that valuable backlinks pointing to these pages do not contribute to the overall authority of your site.

Also read: What Are Crawl Errors? How to fix them?

The Distinction Between A Soft 404 And A 404 Not Found

The status code is the main difference between a soft 404 error and a “404 Not Found” error.

The status code 404 or 410 for the former indicates that the page is not found.

The page with a gentle 404 error is still not found. However, a “200 OK” result is returned rather than a 404 or 410 response.

Search engines do not index 404 sites, hence they do not show up in search engine results.

On the other hand, search engines can index soft 404 sites and display them in the results.

Common Reasons for Soft 404

A web page is missing and the server returns a 200 OK status

This type of soft 404 occurs when a page is missing, but the server setup redirects it to the home page or a custom URL.

The page is no longer available, but the publisher has carried steps to address the missing page request.

Content is either missing or “thin”

When there is no or little content (also known as thin content), the server will respond with a 200 status code, telling that the page request was successful.

However, search engines refer to non-successful web page queries as soft 404s when indexing them.

Source: SEMrush

The lost page redirects to the home page

Some people feel that a 404 error answer means something is wrong.

So, to avoid 404 error answers, a publisher may redirect the lost page to the homepage, even if the homepage is not what was requested.

The custom webpage is referred to in place of the missing page

Missing pages can occasionally reroute to a specially created webpage that responds with a 200 status code; as a result, Google marks these pages as soft 404s.

Is Coding Errors Causing a soft 404

In certain instances, Google may classify a page as missing even when it isn’t actually absent due to certain issues (such as code mistakes).

Since soft 404s may indicate faulty code, they must be looked into.

Typical problems with Coding:

Missing file or inclusion that is meant to provide content to a webpage.
Database malfunction.
JavaScript is not present.
Empty pages for search results.

How to Fix 404 Soft Errors

If only it were that simple, and all you had to do was click a button to correct your 404 issues.

Regretfully, there are a few things you might do, depending on the cause of your soft 404 error. You may, however, take care of them yourself because the remedies are rather simple.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Configure a proper 404 or 410 error if the page has been removed

When you accomplish this correctly, search engines and visitors to your pages will see the appropriate error. There will be no further indexing of your page.

You should be able to use the 404-page templates that come with your website CMS.

While you’re designing 404 pages, consider how you might tailor the page to your company’s needs. Make use of your branding and include some of your best blog entries and a search box, among other useful content, on your page.

2. Include relevant content

I know it is obvious to add content that is useful to the link if you don’t have much or any content. Make sure you contribute stuff in the same manner as usual.

Include attention-grabbing headlines, internal links, a strong meta description, and excellent keywords.

Filler should not be included only for the sake of adding it; this will hurt you in search engine results. You want to provide your visitors with truly helpful, relevant content.

To make a visually appealing and practical website, you may also use movies, infographics, photos, tables, and more.

3. Use a 301 redirect

Your issue can be resolved by configuring a 301 redirect to the new page if your page was relocated instead of destroyed.

It is also okay to redirect a page to another which has relevant content.

4. Fill up any empty tags

Use the tags you’ve made if you have yet to use them, and your page will stop being blank.Your soft 404 problem should go away if you get your website reindexed.

The question to consider here is which links need to be fixed first. You should address these sites first if you’re receiving soft 404 errors on your relevant, high-quality pages.

Your soft 404 errors should be examined in priority order.

Sure, all of them need to be fixed, but start with the ones that will benefit you and your clients the best.

Sure! Here’s more content to further enhance your blog post:

Advanced Fixes and Tools for Diagnosing Soft 404 Errors

Addressing soft 404 errors can be more efficient with the right tools and advanced methods. Here are some strategies and tools to consider:

Google Search Console: This tool is invaluable for identifying and diagnosing soft 404 errors. Regularly check the “Coverage” report to spot any pages marked as soft 404s. Google Search Console provides detailed information about the errors, helping you understand and fix them effectively.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: This tool allows you to crawl your website and identify pages that return a 200 OK status but lack substantial content. It’s excellent for finding thin content pages that may be misinterpreted as soft 404s.
Custom Scripts: For large websites, writing custom scripts to check for soft 404 errors can save time. These scripts can automate the process of identifying pages with insufficient content or incorrect redirects, providing a comprehensive report for further action.
Automated Testing Tools: Tools like Sitebulb or lumar can perform extensive audits of your website. They check for a variety of issues, including soft 404 errors, and provide actionable insights to resolve them.

Best Practices for Preventing Soft 404 Errors

Preventing soft 404 errors requires proactive website management. Here are some best practices to follow:

Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of your website to identify and address any soft 404 errors. Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor and resolve indexing issues.
Proper Redirects: Implement proper 301 redirects for pages that have been permanently moved or removed. Ensure that redirects lead to relevant content to maintain user satisfaction and SEO value.
Content Management: Maintain high-quality content across your site. Avoid creating thin content pages and ensure that every page serves a clear purpose and provides value to users.
Server Configuration: Ensure your server is configured to return the correct status codes for missing or moved pages. This helps search engines accurately interpret the state of your content.

User Experience Considerations

Soft 404 errors can significantly impact user experience. Here are some tips to mitigate these effects:

Create Helpful 404 Pages: Design 404 pages that guide users back to relevant content on your site. Include links to popular articles, a search bar, and a friendly message explaining that the page they were looking for could not be found.
Transparent Communication: If a page is removed, inform users why it was removed and provide alternatives. This transparency builds trust and keeps users engaged with your site.
Consistent Branding: Ensure your 404 pages maintain your site’s branding. This consistency helps users recognize they are still on your site, even when they encounter an error.

Final Word

Soft 404 problems happen when a page that doesn’t truly contain the anticipated content receives a “200 OK” response code from the server; this is frequently the result of setup issues or inadvertent redirection.

Users may become confused, and search engines may have problems indexing content. On the other hand, well-formatted 404 errors clearly indicate that a page is missing.

Finding the source of the problem—whether it’s poor redirects, a lackluster article, or a broken page—is essential to fixing soft 404 problems.

Then, the necessary solutions, such as proper 404 error handling, solid content, and obvious redirections where necessary, should be applied.

FAQs on Soft 404

How do I identify soft 404 errors on my website?

You can identify soft 404 errors using tools like Google Search Console, which provides insights into indexing issues and alerts you to potential soft 404s. Look for pages with low content, unexpected redirects, or pages that return a “200 OK” status but do not contain the expected content.

What Are the SEO Consequences of Soft 404 Errors?

Soft 404 errors can negatively impact SEO by wasting crawl budget, confusing search engines, and leading to poor user experiences. They can cause search engines to deindex pages or lower their rankings due to perceived low content quality.

Can I use custom 404 pages to fix soft 404 errors?

Custom 404 pages are a great way to enhance user experience and provide helpful information when a page is missing. However, they do not fix soft 404 errors on their own. Ensure your server returns the correct “404 Not Found” status code and that custom 404 pages provide guidance to users on what to do next.

Can Redirect Chains Cause Soft 404 Errors? Yes, redirect chains can contribute to soft 404 errors if they lead to pages with thin content or irrelevant destinations. Ensure that redirects are direct and lead to appropriate, high-quality content.