Introduction

As a website owner, you may have come across the term “HTTP status code” when checking your website’s performance. One of the codes you may encounter is 410, which can have an impact on your website’s SEO. In this article, we will explain what the HTTP status code 410 means and how it affects your website.

What is HTTP Status Code 410?

HTTP status code 410, also known as “Gone”, indicates that a resource on your website is no longer available and will not be returning. This can happen when a page or file has been intentionally removed, or when a website is undergoing maintenance or redesign.

Unlike the 404 error, which indicates that a resource cannot be found, the 410 error explicitly states that the resource is gone and will not be coming back. This can be useful for users and search engines, as they can quickly determine that the resource is no longer available and take appropriate action.

How Does HTTP Status Code 410 Affect Your Website’s SEO?

When a search engine encounters a 410 error, it will remove the affected page or resource from its index. This means that the page will no longer appear in search results, and any links pointing to the page will lose their value.

While a 410 error can be useful in certain situations, it can also have a negative impact on your website’s SEO if not used correctly. If a page or resource has been removed permanently, a 410 error is appropriate. However, if the page or resource is only temporarily unavailable, a 503 error (Service Unavailable) may be more appropriate.

It is also important to handle 410 errors correctly to avoid confusing users and search engines. When a user encounters a 410 error, they should be redirected to a relevant page or provided with an explanation of why the resource is no longer available. This can help prevent frustration and maintain user trust.

Conclusion

HTTP status code 410 indicates that a resource on your website is no longer available and will not be returning. While this can be useful in certain situations, it is important to use it correctly to avoid negative impacts on your website’s SEO. By handling 410 errors correctly and providing users and search engines with relevant information, you can maintain a positive user experience and improve your website’s performance.