Soft 404 errors are caused when a web server returns a 200 response code when it should return a 404 page. This can be caused by several issues, including thin content reports, insufficient 301/302 redirects, and JavaScript or CSS files. Below, we will discuss each reason briefly, and you will learn how to fix them. See over here to find a reliable SEO service.
Insufficient 301/302 redirects can cause soft 404 errors:
Soft 404 errors occur when a page is returned with an HTTP status code of 200 OK, but the page itself is invalid. The page is still crawled by search engines and listed in search results, but it contains no content. Some common causes of soft 404 errors include pages with minimal content or empty tag pages.
A good redirect strategy includes several steps. First, it is important to audit the website’s redirects to ensure they are working properly. For example, if a product is discontinued, the redirect should point to the closest alternative. If a discontinued product still generates a lot of interest, a new page featuring similar offers or a comparison article can be created.
Inappropriate 301/302 redirects:
If 404 errors have ever plagued you, you’ve probably encountered the problem of soft 404 errors caused by inappropriate 301/302. Fortunately, there’s a solution. You can use a 302 redirect, redirecting users to a new URL for a short period. This can be helpful when you’re redesigning your site or changing certain pages. These redirects don’t affect your homepage rankings or page ranking, but they can help your customers maintain a consistent experience.
JavaScript or CSS files:
These files may be missing or broken, and the pages they link to return a soft 404 error. In addition to causing a soft 404 error, these files can also cause your website to rank poorly in Google. Google’s advanced algorithm is designed to identify pages that aren’t content-rich but it is still vulnerable to errors. If your site receives many of these errors, it may be time to update your files.
Thin content reports:
A soft 404 error is a Google error that indicates that your web page is either not available or has thin content. It can be caused by broken or thin elements and broken links. Regardless of what the cause of the error is, there are several possible solutions to this issue.
