410 Status Code - What It Is and When to Use It?

When managing a website, regular web maintenance involves handling various HTTP status codes. Among these, the 410 status code can seem a bit confusing.

Unlike more familiar codes like 404, which signals a missing page or an application issue, the 410 status code serves a more specific purpose—it tells users and search engines that a resource is permanently gone.

In this article, we’ll explore what the 410 status code means, the scenarios in which you should use it, its impact on SEO, and how to utilize it effectively.

Key details about the 410 status code:

• Permanent removal: Indicates that the target resource is no longer accessible and will not be restored.
• Search engine behavior: Search engines treat this response as a signal to remove the resource from their index more quickly than they would for a 404 error.
• Common use cases: Often applied to pages with expired content, discontinued services, or intentionally deleted resources.

When to Use the 410 Status Code

Here are some common scenarios when you should consider using a 410 status code:

• Removed outdated content: If you’ve deleted pages or posts that are no longer relevant (e.g., old product listings or expired promotions), and you do not intend to restore them.
• Discontinued services or products: When your website features services or products that are permanently discontinued and you want to ensure that visitors and search engines stop looking for them.
• Broken links that won’t be fixed: If a link to a resource is permanently broken and you’ve decided not to redirect it to another page, using the 410 status code is appropriate.
• Intentional removal: When content is deliberately removed for any reason (e.g., legal issues, outdated information), and you want to make it clear that it’s not coming back.
• Hacked or spam-injected pages: If your site was hacked and unauthorized pages were injected (e.g., spam, pirated content, or adult pages), using a 410 status code after deleting them helps search engines quickly remove them from their index. This prevents crawlers from wasting resources on non-existent spam pages.

In these cases, the 410 status code is a clear and straightforward way for website owners to inform both users and search engines that the content is permanently unavailable.

410 Status Code Example

To better understand how the 410 status code works, here’s an example of how it would be used in practice.

Imagine you have a page on your website dedicated to an old product that has been permanently discontinued.

Instead of leaving the page to return a 404 error or simply displaying a broken link, you would configure the website’s server to return a 410 status code. You can easily do that with a simple .htaccess rule:

Redirect 410 /old-product

When a user or a search engine makes a GET request to this URL, the web server responds with 410 Gone.

This tells both users and search engines that the page is gone for good, and no further action should be taken to access it.

Example Response:

• URL structure: https://www.example.com/old-product
• HTTP Status Code: 410 Gone

Server Response:

HTTP/1.1 410 Gone

Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8

Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2024 10:00:00 GMT

Connection: close

You can use Google Search Console, specialized SEO tools like Ahrefs, or a free HTTP status checker to confirm if a page is returning the desired result:

When users or search engines encounter this response, they will understand that the content has been intentionally removed.

Visitors might see a custom message explaining that the product is no longer available, while search engines will gradually remove the page from their index.

Can a 410 Status Code Affect SEO?

Yes, the 410 status code can have an impact on SEO. It’s generally a positive one if used appropriately.

However, improper use of the 410 status code can negatively impact your SEO efforts. Here’s an example:

Imagine you have a product page that has been temporarily removed for updates or redesign. If you mistakenly return a 410 status code instead of a 301 redirect or a 404 error, search engines will assume the page is permanently gone.

As a result, they may remove the page from their index, and it could take significant time and effort to reindex it once the page is live again.

This could also impact any existing backlinks, as those links would no longer lead to a valid page. In such cases, the 410 status code can harm SEO by reducing the page’s authority and visibility.

How to Fix a 410 Status Code

If a 410 status code is appearing unexpectedly or needs to be reversed, here are the steps you can take to fix it:

1. Restore the Content

If the page was removed by mistake or is still needed, you can restore the content at the original URL. This will ensure the resource is accessible again, and search engines will start reindexing it.

2. Implement a 301 Redirect

If the removed page has a suitable alternative, set up a 301 redirect to guide users and search engines to the new location. This is particularly important for pages with backlinks or significant traffic. Example scenarios include:

• Redirecting a discontinued product page to a related category or an updated version of the product.
• Redirecting outdated content to a newer, more relevant resource.

3. Update Internal Links

Check your website for internal links pointing to the removed page. Update or remove them to prevent users from encountering unnecessary 410 errors. This also helps maintain a smooth navigation experience.

4. Adjust Server Configuration

If the 410 response is being served incorrectly, server owners should review their settings. Depending on your server type, you may need to update .htaccess, Nginx configuration, or application-level rules to stop returning the 410 status.

5. Use a Custom 410 Page

For pages that should remain permanently removed, consider designing a custom 410 error page. This page can provide context for visitors and offer alternative links to related content, improving user experience.

6. Check for Misconfigurations

If your website is unexpectedly returning 410 errors, investigate whether any plugins, CMS settings, or automated scripts are incorrectly flagging URLs as “Gone.” This is particularly relevant for WordPress users who might have SEO plugins handling status codes.

7. Consult Your Hosting Provider

If you’re unsure why a 410 status is being returned, reach out to your hosting provider for assistance. They can help check server logs, configuration settings, and other potential causes.

By following these steps, you can properly manage 410 status codes. This ensures they are only used when necessary and do not negatively impact your site’s usability, which is a key factor for tech SEO.

410 Code – Recap

The 410 status code is a useful tool for managing permanently deleted content. It helps browsers and search engines understand that a resource is gone and will not return.

Use it carefully to avoid negative SEO impacts and always check if it’s applied properly.

Here are the key points to remember when working with the 410 status code:

• The 410 status code signals that a resource is permanently gone from the origin server and will not return.
• Use the 410 status code when you intentionally remove content, such as discontinued products or outdated pages. This informs both users and search engines that the page is permanently unavailable.
• The 410 status code helps SEO by quickly removing irrelevant pages from search engine indexes.
• Improper use of the 410 code (such as for pages that are temporarily unavailable or should be redirected) can negatively impact SEO by removing valuable pages from search results.
• To manage a 410 status code, always check if it’s intentional, update internal links, and improve user experience with redirects or custom error pages.

By following these key takeaways, you can ensure you’re using the 410 status code effectively to manage your content and improve your website’s performance.