Have you ever logged into your Google Search Console only to find a list of soft 404 errors flagged on your website? For many site owners and marketers, these errors are confusing and often overlooked. However, failing to fix them can impact your SEO performance and user experience significantly.
In this guide by Evershare, we break down:
- What soft 404 errors are
- Why they occur
- How they impact SEO
- Step-by-step methods to fix them strategically
- Real examples to make it practical for your team
What is a Soft 404 Error?
Your document explains:
A soft 404 error happens when the server sends a 200 OK status for a requested page, but Google thinks it should return a 404.
Breaking it down simply:
- Standard 404 error: Page does not exist; the server sends a 404 Not Found status.
- Soft 404 error: Page is missing or empty, but the server sends a 200 OK status, signalling the page exists, even though it doesn’t provide useful content.
This confuses search engines. The page technically “exists” but offers no value. As a result, Google flags it as a soft 404 to prevent indexing worthless or misleading pages.
Example
Imagine creating a new tag page on your WordPress website, but not adding any posts under it. When you visit this page, it shows “Nothing found” but returns a 200 OK status. This is a classic soft 404 error.
Why Do Soft 404 Errors Happen?
Common causes include:
- Empty category or tag pages (e.g. WordPress taxonomy pages with no posts)
- Product pages for out-of-stock items with no alternative suggestions
- Mistyped URLs that still resolve to a blank template
- Pages with thin or no meaningful content
Can Soft 404 Errors Harm SEO?
Yes, significantly. Your document notes:
Search engines hate stumbling on dead links. They signal bad maintenance and poor user experience.
Strategic SEO impact:
- Wasted crawl budget: Googlebot spends time crawling irrelevant pages instead of your important content.
- Confused indexing: If soft 404 pages are indexed, users may land on empty pages, increasing bounce rates.
- Diluted site quality signals: Excess low-value pages reduce your site’s perceived authority and relevance.
How to Find Soft 404 Errors
The most reliable method is via Google Search Console.
- Log in to Google Search Console.
- Navigate to Coverage report.
- Look for errors labelled “Submitted URL seems to be a Soft 404.”
- Review the listed pages for content or status issues.
How to Fix Soft 404 Errors: A Strategic Approach
Your document outlines key solutions, expanded here with strategic clarity:
1. If the Page Does Not Exist
- Return a 404 (Not Found) or 410 (Content Deleted) status.
- Ensure your website has a useful, branded 404 page to guide users back to main areas.
Example
An eCommerce store deletes a discontinued product page. Instead of keeping a blank page live, they set it to return a 410 status and redirect users to related products.
2. If the Page Has Thin or Empty Content
- Add meaningful, relevant content to show search engines its value.
- For example, fill empty category pages with introductory text, links to main services, or internal resources.
3. If the Page Has Moved
- Implement a 301 redirect to the new URL, signalling to search engines the page has permanently moved.
- Update internal links to the new URL to maintain user experience and link equity.
4. If You Want to Keep the Page But Not Index It
- Add a noindex tag to the page using your SEO plugin (e.g. Yoast).
- This keeps it accessible to users when needed but prevents Google from indexing it.
5. Prevent Future Soft 404 Errors
- Audit your website structure regularly.
- Avoid creating empty tags, categories, or placeholder pages.
- Integrate soft 404 monitoring into your monthly technical SEO checks.
Real-World Example: Soft 404 SEO Fix
A health and wellness blog had over 250 soft 404 errors due to empty recipe category pages. Their SEO consultant:
- Added introductory text to each category with links to top posts.
- Removed unused categories entirely.
- Submitted updated URLs to Google Search Console.
Result:
- Errors reduced to zero within two months
- Crawl budget focused on important pages
- Organic traffic increased by 18% as indexation efficiency improved
Suggested Visuals and Downloads
- Soft 404 Error Flowchart – causes and strategic fixes
- Google Search Console Soft 404 Screenshot Example
- Checklist PDF: “How to Fix 404 Errors: Step-by-Step
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a 404 and a soft 404?
A standard 404 returns a 404 status code signalling the page does not exist. A soft 404 returns a 200 OK status but has no useful content, confusing search engines.
Do soft 404 errors affect rankings?
Yes. They waste crawl budget, reduce user trust, and dilute your site’s quality signals, impacting rankings indirectly.
How often should I check for soft 404 errors?
Include soft 404 checks in your monthly technical SEO audits, especially after major website updates.
Can soft 404 errors resolve on their own?
Rarely. You need to address the underlying cause – thin content, incorrect redirects, or deleted pages still returning 200 status codes.
Conclusion
404 errors may seem like minor technical glitches, but they can undermine your entire SEO strategy if ignored. By understanding what causes them and implementing strategic fixes, you can:
- Improve user experience
- Enhance crawl efficiency
- Boost organic visibility sustainably
At Evershare, we specialise in technical SEO audits that identify and resolve issues like soft 404 errors, helping your website perform at its highest potential.
Ready to fix your site’s hidden technical errors? Contact our SEO team today for a full website health audit.