What is a 410 Status Code?

The 4xx category of the HTTP response code system includes the 410 status code. Client-side errors, denoted by the 4xx series, are caused by problems that either occur on the user’s end or that hinder the server from completing the request. More precisely, the 410 Gone status code signifies that the resource that was requested is permanently unavailable on the server.

Unlike the 404 Not Found status code, which simply tells the server that the requested resource could not be found, the 410 status code conveys that the resource existed at one point but has been intentionally removed and will not return. Essentially, a 410 status code is a definitive declaration that the resource is gone for good.

For instance, if you were to remove a webpage from your website and you wanted search engines and users to know it was gone permanently, you would return a 410 status code instead of a 404.

410 Code Reference

The 410 status code is part of the HTTP/1.1 standard, as described in RFC 7231. It is officially defined as:

410 Gone
The requested resource is no longer available at the server and no forwarding address is known. This condition is likely to be considered permanent.

This reference is important for web developers and server administrators to understand because it provides context for how long-term removal of content should be communicated to both users and search engines.

In technical terms, the 410 status code tells the requesting client that the resource (whether it’s a webpage, file, or other types of data) has been intentionally and permanently removed from the server, and there is no way to retrieve it.

Example of 410 Status Code

Here’s a typical scenario of how a 410 status code might appear:

Example 1:

Imagine you run an online store, and you decide to remove a product page from your site that is no longer being sold. Instead of showing a 404 error when someone tries to visit the page, you use a 410 status code to let both users and search engines know that the page is intentionally gone and will not return. The server would respond with the following:

  • HTTP/1.1 410 Gone
  • Content-Type: text/html
  • Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:00:00 GMT

This response tells the client that the requested URL for the product page is no longer available, and it won’t be reactivated.

Example 2:

Another example could be a webpage that was deleted due to outdated content. For instance, if a blog post from several years ago was removed because it no longer aligned with the company’s messaging or content strategy, the server might respond with a 410 status code. This would be particularly useful when search engine crawlers encounter the page, signaling that it was intentionally removed and will not be replaced.

How to Resolve a Status Code of 410?

While the 410 status code is used to indicate that a resource is permanently gone, it is important to know when and how to return it. Here’s how to handle a 410 status code properly and ensure your site’s health:

  1. Determine the Intentional Removal of Content: Before applying the 410 status code, you must be sure that the content is permanently removed and will not be replaced. If you plan to redirect users to another page or bring back the resource, a 410 status code might not be appropriate. For temporary removals, the 404 Not Found or 410 Not Found might be a better option.
  2. Update Internal Links: If you have internal links pointing to the removed page, you should remove or update them to avoid leading users to a 410 page. This ensures that your site navigation remains smooth and functional.
  3. Use Proper Redirects If Necessary: If you want to keep traffic flowing to another relevant page, use 301 redirects (permanent redirects) to point users to an appropriate alternative. However, if the content is gone permanently and has no relevant replacement, avoid redirects and use the 410 status code to avoid confusion.
  4. Communicate with Search Engines: When removing content, it is essential to let search engines know about it. A 410 status code is an effective way to inform search engine crawlers that the resource is permanently gone. This allows search engines to update their index accordingly.
  5. Monitor the Status Code: Once you apply a 410 status code, monitor how the server responds. Ensure that users and search engines are not receiving 404 errors instead. Regularly check server logs and analytics tools to confirm the accuracy of your response.
  6. Set Up Custom 410 Error Pages: For a more user-friendly experience, create a custom 410 error page that explains the content is permanently gone. This page can include helpful links or suggest alternative resources that might interest the user.

Does SEO Get Affected by a 410 Status Code?

Yes, a 410 status code can impact your website’s SEO, but it does so in a specific manner. Here’s how it can affect your search engine ranking:

  1. Faster Removal of Pages from Index: Since the 410 status code explicitly tells search engines that the resource is gone permanently, search engines will remove the page from their index much faster than they would for a 404 status code. This can be beneficial if you have outdated or irrelevant content you want to eliminate from search results.
  2. Avoiding Negative Impact of Broken Links: A 410 status code can help prevent the negative SEO effects of broken links or 404 errors. Search engines penalize websites with excessive 404 errors, which can affect overall site rankings. By using a 410 status code, you effectively signal to search engines that the page is intentionally removed, reducing the likelihood of penalties.
  3. Lost Traffic: If the page being removed had organic traffic, you might lose that traffic when applying a 410 status code. Therefore, you should ensure that the page’s value is either replaced by another resource or redirected to a more relevant page if maintaining traffic is important for your SEO goals.
  4. Improved User Experience: By providing clear communication with the 410 status code, users are less likely to encounter confusion when they visit pages that no longer exist. This enhances user experience, which is a critical factor for SEO.