What to Know:
– Google’s Gary Illyes recently offered advice on choosing between the 301 and 404 status codes.
– A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines that a page has moved permanently to a new location.
– A 404 error page is displayed when a user tries to access a page that does not exist on a website.
– Illyes stated that both 301 redirects and 404 error pages are acceptable, but it depends on the situation and the website’s goals.
– If a page has permanently moved to a new location, a 301 redirect should be used to redirect users and search engines to the new URL.
– If a page has been removed from a website and there is no suitable replacement, a 404 error page should be used to inform users that the page does not exist.
The Full Story:
Google’s Gary Illyes recently offered advice on choosing between the 301 and 404 status codes when handling page redirects and errors. In a Twitter thread, Illyes stated that both 301 redirects and 404 error pages are acceptable, but it depends on the situation and the website’s goals.
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines that a page has moved permanently to a new location. This is commonly used when a website undergoes a redesign or when a page’s URL structure is changed. By implementing a 301 redirect, users and search engines are automatically redirected to the new URL, ensuring that they can still access the content they are looking for.
On the other hand, a 404 error page is displayed when a user tries to access a page that does not exist on a website. This can happen when a page is deleted or when a user mistypes a URL. The 404 error page informs the user that the page they are looking for cannot be found and may provide suggestions or links to other relevant pages on the website.
Illyes emphasized that the choice between a 301 redirect and a 404 error page depends on the specific situation. If a page has permanently moved to a new location, a 301 redirect should be used to redirect users and search engines to the new URL. This ensures that users can still access the content they are looking for, and search engines can update their index accordingly.
However, if a page has been removed from a website and there is no suitable replacement, a 404 error page should be used to inform users that the page does not exist. This is important for user experience, as it helps users understand why the page they are looking for cannot be found. Additionally, search engines will also recognize the 404 error and remove the page from their index.
Illyes also mentioned that using a 301 redirect for pages that no longer exist can lead to confusion and potential issues. If a page has been permanently removed and there is no suitable replacement, it is best to let it return a 404 error. This way, users and search engines will understand that the page is no longer available.
In summary, both 301 redirects and 404 error pages have their uses, and the choice depends on the specific situation. If a page has permanently moved to a new location, a 301 redirect should be used to redirect users and search engines to the new URL. If a page has been removed and there is no suitable replacement, a 404 error page should be used to inform users that the page does not exist. It is important to consider the goals of the website and the user experience when making this decision.
Overall, the advice from Gary Illyes provides clarity on when to use a 301 redirect and when to use a 404 error page. By following these guidelines, website owners can ensure that their users and search engines can navigate their websites effectively and efficiently.
Original article: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/which-is-best-301-vs-404/492256/