Fixing the “Submitted URL Seems to Be a Soft 404” Error in Google Search Console

Here’s a detailed blog post on fixing the “Submitted URL seems to be a soft 404” error in Google Search Console (GSC

If you’ve encountered the “Submitted URL seems to be a soft 404” error in your Google Search Console reports, it’s important to understand what it means and how to address it to maintain the health of your website’s search rankings.

What is a Soft 404 Error?

A soft 404 error occurs when a page on your website returns a 200 success status code (which normally signals that a page is loading properly), but Google thinks the content is either too thin, irrelevant, or looks like a traditional 404 error page (“Page not found”). This creates a discrepancy for search engines.

Why Do Soft 404 Errors Matter?

• User Experience: Soft 404s create a poor user experience. Users land on a page expecting to find specific content, and instead, they’re met with irrelevant information or an error-like message.
• Search Engine Crawling: Search engines like Google may waste resources crawling pages that don’t provide value, hindering the crawl budget for valuable pages on your website.
• SEO Impact: If Google consistently finds soft 404s, it might indicate a broader quality issue with your site, potentially affecting your rankings.

Step-by-Step Guide for Fixing Soft 404 Errors

1. Identify Affected URLs: Start by checking the Coverage report in Google Search Console. Filter by “Soft 404” to view the list of URLs Google has flagged with the issue.
2. Investigate Each URL: Carefully examine each URL on the list. Here’s what to look for:
   • Thin Content: Does the page have very little text or lack valuable information?
   • Empty or Near-empty Pages: Is the page almost completely blank?
   • Misleading Content: Does the page’s content significantly differ from what the title or meta description suggests?
   • Old Outdated Content: Is the page related to an old product, event, or outdated information?
3. Choose the Right Fix: Based on your investigation, choose the most appropriate solution:
   • Improve the Content: If the page has thin content, expand it. Add valuable, unique, and relevant text, images, or videos that align with the page’s purpose. For outdated content, update it to make it current.
   • Implement a True 404: If the page is no longer relevant, has no value, or was a mistake, let it serve a real 404 (Page Not Found) error. This clearly tells both users and search engines that the page doesn’t exist.
   • 301 Redirect: If a suitable replacement page exists, set up a 301 redirect to guide users and search engines to the relevant content. This is common for expired product pages or merged blog posts.
   • Noindex: For pages with thin content that are necessary to keep, but you don’t want them included in search results, add a “noindex” meta tag. This will tell search engines not to index the page.
4. Validate the Fix in GSC: After making changes, use Google Search Console’s “URL Inspection” tool. Submit the updated URL and click “Request Indexing.” Use the “Validate Fix” option to let Google review your changes.

Additional Tips

• Regularly audit your site: Proactively check for thin content or old pages that could turn into soft 404s.
• Monitor Search Console: Regularly review the Coverage report in GSC to catch new soft 404 errors early.
• Use redirects carefully: Use 301 redirects only when there is a highly relevant alternative page. Avoid redirecting to unrelated pages or the homepage, as this provides a poor user experience.

By addressing soft 404 errors, you’ll improve user experience, optimize your website’s crawl efficiency, and maintain a positive signal to search engines, ultimately benefiting your website’s search rankings.