Imagine visiting one of your favorite websites only to discover that a commonly visited page has vanished, leaving a notification that reads, 410 Gone. Frustrating, right? This isn’t just an error; it’s the website’s way of indicating that the page you’re looking for has been permanently removed, with no plans to bring it back. Unlike a “404 Not Found” error, which allows for the possibility that the page will be returned, a 410 Gone error effectively ends any further access to that resource. In this article, we will look at what the 410 error is, why it occurs, and how you can fix or handle it effectively.
What does 410 Mean?
HTTP 410 error, also known as the 410 Gone error, indicates that the requested resource has been permanently removed from the server and does not have a forwarding address. This status code is used when the server determines, through an internal mechanism, that an old resource is no longer available and will not be available in the future. It tells the user and search engines that the content is unavailable. 410 Gone error can appear in numerous formats depending on the browser or client such as
- 410 Gone
- 410 Error
- HTTP 410
- HTTP 410 Error
- 410 HTTP Status Code
- 410 HTTP Response Code
- 410 Error Code
Causes of 410 Error Code
- Site Restructuring
- Server or Hosting Issues
- Page or Resources have been deleted by mistake
- Incorrect Server Misconfigurations
- CMS Changes
- Intentional Removal
- Expired Listings
How to Fix HTTP 410 Error?
To fix the 410 Gone error, follow these steps
Deactivate Your Plugin
Plugins can conflict and cause a 410 Gone error. To determine if a plugin is the issue:
- Deactivate all plugins by going to Plugins > Installed Plugins in the WordPress dashboard.
- Reactivate each plugin one at a time, refreshing your site after each activation, to determine the problem.
Check for Broken Links
Broken links are a common server-side cause of the 410 Gone Error. Using Google Search Console, check your website for broken links on a regular basis to reduce the chance of users receiving an unexpected 410 when they click around on your page.
Incorrectly Set the Status Code
Sometimes you or your web developer can accidentally set a 410 status code for a page. Regularly check your website for 410 status codes, especially if you observe a decline in traffic or SEO results. If a page returns a 410 Gone Error, change the page status to 200 (OK) if the page still exists, or 301 (relocated Permanently) if it has been relocated to a new URL..
Implement Redirect To A Similar Resource
If pages or resources have been moved or renamed, you can use redirections to guide clients to new URLs. When there is a similar resource that can perform the same function, the client can set a redirect to it. By doing this, you can reduce the number of users who see the 410 Gone error and preserve the user experience by avoiding broken links.
Outdated Sitemap
If your sitemap still includes URLs that have been removed and marked with a 410 status, search engines can try to crawl these non-existent pages, leading to 410 errors. Update your sitemap frequently to eliminate URLs that are no longer active on your website. If you’re using WordPress, numerous SEO plugins can automatically update your sitemap anytime you make changes to it.
Examine the Logs
To investigate an unexpected HTTP status code, start by checking the server logs. The location of your server’s log files depends on whether you’re using Nginx, Apache, or another server. Open the log file and check for 410 errors; this should help you determine where the issue originated.
Update Internal Links
Ensure that all internal links on your website lead to active, relevant sites. Use a site audit tool to find any internal links that cause a 410 error and update them accordingly.
Conclusion
410 Gone error indicates to users and search engines that a resource has been permanently removed from a server. It could also lead to confusion and broken links if not managed correctly. You can keep your website up to date and guarantee a positive user experience by comprehending the reasons behind the 410 error and taking the necessary action to resolve it.
Q: What does the error 410 Gone mean?
The 410 Gone error is an HTTP status code that indicates that the resource you attempted to access has been permanently removed from the server and will not be available again.
Q: What distinguishes a 410 error from a 404 error?
A 404 error indicates that the resource is not now available, it might become available in the future. A 410 error indicates that the resource has been permanently removed and will not be recovered.
Q: How can I keep my website from having 410 errors?
To avoid unexpected 410 errors, check your site’s links, structure your content management system, and use redirects when removing or transferring information. Check your server settings and update any plugins or modules that cause these errors.
