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AI & Tech

What Is Error 410 And How To Fix It

MM
Matt Montenegro Founder & CEO
06/08/2023 4 min
TL;DR

HTTP 410 Gone means a resource is no longer available at the origin and that condition is likely permanent. MDN says clients should stop repeating those requests, and owners should remove or replace links that return 410.

  • Why it matters: A deliberate 410 tells crawlers the page was retired on purpose, so they can drop the URL.
  • How it works: Serve 410 only for permanent removal; if permanence is unclear, MDN says use 404 instead.
  • Zoom in: Google Search treats 410 like other 4xx codes: no indexing, and prior entries leave over time.
  • Reality check: Redirect plugins, security rules, or a broken .htaccess can emit 410 by mistake.
  • The bottom line: Reserve 410 for intentional deletions, restore accidents fast, and clean inbound links.

Error 410 is a status code indicating permanent page removal. Website errors diminish user experience, contributing to lost revenue and a decline in Digital Marketing results.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

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What Is the Difference Between 410 and 404 Errors?

HTTP error 410 is a precise code that indicates to both users and search engine bots that a particular resource is no longer available on the server and doesn’t have any forwarding or alternate location. In essence, it communicates the clear and permanent unavailability of the requested content.

On the other hand, error 404, commonly known as “page not found,” signals that the requested page is currently missing from the server. This error can either be temporary or permanent. Unlike the definitive nature of a 410 error, search engines might handle 404 errors with more flexibility, possibly retaining such URLs in their search results for a certain duration.

How to Fix Error 410 Using Plugins

Review your HTTP status codes regularly. Ensure that the URL address or associated hyperlinks are correct.

Create a backup before starting.

  1. Disable redirect and security plugins first. They are a common source of Error 410.
  2. A recent WordPress upgrade might be the culprit. Consider using WP Downgrade or WP Rollback if you use WordPress Core. If the 410 disappears, it means you’ve resolved your problem.
  3. Consider repairing your WordPress .htaccess file or reinstalling your WordPress core files. Learn how here.

Error 410 Messages

Error 410 errors will appear differently across web browsers and servers. Examples your customers might see include:

  • 410 Gone        
  • ERROR 410
  • HTTP STATUS 410
  • This page can’t be found.
  • Left completely blank
  • This localhost page can’t be found. It may have been moved or deleted.

Customizing an error 410 code isn’t complicated and assures users that your website works correctly.

The Impact of Error 410 on User Experience

Regularly updated websites can face an increased likelihood of encountering error messages, such as persistent 410 errors. These recurring occurrences not only reflect negatively on your website but also cast a shadow on your overall business image.

When people land on a page expecting something—anything, really—but instead run into a 410 message, there’s this immediate sense that something’s wrong behind the scenes. It doesn’t inspire confidence; if anything, it makes your site look neglected. If you’re running a business, that little moment of disappointment can undo a lot of hard work you’ve poured into branding or customer relationships. It’s the digital equivalent of showing up to a store and finding the door bolted shut, without so much as a note of explanation. That sort of experience tends to linger, whether we like it or not.

Even more, these types of errors are especially frustrating for folks coming from search engines or links shared on social media. They’ve basically committed to visiting you (at least for a few seconds), only to be told the content never even existed—or at least, that’s how it feels to them. Over time, repeat run-ins with 410 errors can chip away at how trustworthy and useful your site seems in their eyes. It’s not always fair, but it’s what happens. You’ll want to minimize those “dead end” moments as much as possible if you’re aiming to build loyalty.

The reputation of your company is intricately tied to your ability to effectively address and rectify these messages, particularly in the aftermath of updates, website migrations, or structural changes.

Such errors disrupt the seamless browsing experience your users expect, potentially driving them away and undermining their trust in your brand.

The Relationship between Error 410 and Website Hosting Platforms

Website hosting platforms handle the “nitty-gritty” details to safeguard users’ experiences.

Corrupt databases, missing permissions, or flawed links increase the risk of errors like 410. The result is fewer visitors, decreased SEO rankings, and lost sales opportunities.

What are some important features of a good website hosting platform that help prevent error 410?

  1. Server Stability: Reliable, stable servers not prone to unexpected downtime
  2. Backup and Restore: Offers scheduled backup services to restore accidentally deleted or removed content
  3. Monitoring and Alerts: Alerts website owners to potential situations leading to errors
  4. Redirect Management: Easy-to-use tools allow website owners to establish redirects for removed or relocated content

The Bottom Line

Mitigating errors such as the disruptive 410 error demands a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders. While a robust hosting platform lays the foundation for stability, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on it.

Website proprietors and administrators play a pivotal role by engaging in vigilant performance monitoring. This involves regular assessments, comprehensive data analysis, and proactive measures to identify potential pitfalls and rectify them promptly.

By nurturing a culture of ongoing improvement, closely overseeing websites, and promptly addressing issues, the combined actions of all stakeholders come together.

This synergy establishes a smooth online environment. It not only prevents errors like the 410 but also guarantees an outstanding user experience and maintains ongoing digital success.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a site return HTTP 410 instead of 404?

Choose 410 Gone when you are retiring a URL for good and want clients to stop asking for it. MDN's definition includes the hedge that the condition is likely permanent, and it tells owners to clean links that return that code. Use 404 when you cannot tell whether the absence is temporary or permanent. That keeps short outages and uncertain moves from looking like intentional permanent removals.

How does Google Search treat an Error 410 response?

Google's crawler docs group 410 with other 4xx client errors (except 429). Google does not use content from those URLs, does not index URLs that return 4xx, and removes previously indexed URLs that keep returning 4xx over time. Newly encountered 404 pages aren't processed. That handling appears in Google's HTTP status crawling doc. Do not expect a special ranking bonus for 410 versus 404 inside Google's published handling table.

How do you fix an accidental Error 410?

Treat an unexpected 410 as a configuration incident. Confirm the URL should still exist, then check recent redirects, security plugins, .htaccess rules, and hosting error pages that may force Gone. Restore the content or change the status to the correct code for a live or moved page. Then clean inbound and internal links that still point at the old path, matching MDN's guidance to remove or replace links that return 410.

MM Matt Montenegro

Matt Montenegro

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