Visitors: the content is gone; search the site or use an archived copy (for example the Wayback Machine). Site owners: use 410 for content removed for good with no replacement; if a similar page exists, use a 301 redirect instead.

What's going on

Both 404 and 410 mean the page isn't available, but 410 is explicit and permanent. Search engines generally drop 410 URLs from their index a little faster than 404s.

If you removed a page by mistake, returning 410 will speed its removal from search results. Restore it and return 200 instead.

What you'll see

  • “410 Gone” page or 'The requested resource is no longer available'.
  • Search Console reports URLs with status 410.

Why it happens

  • The site owner deleted the page intentionally.
  • Server rules returning 410 for a pattern of URLs (sometimes by mistake).

How to fix it

  1. Visitors: look for alternativesSearch the site for the topic, or view an archived copy.
  2. Site owners: check intentConfirm the 410 is deliberate. Rules in .htaccess (e.g. Redirect gone or [G] flags) can catch more URLs than intended.
  3. Redirect when there's a replacementUse a 301 redirect to the closest current page instead of 410.
  4. Clean up internal linksRemove links pointing to removed pages.
How to tell it worked: Removed URLs return 410, while live pages and replacements return 200 or 301 as intended.

Stop it happening again

Keep a list of removed URLs and their intended status, and review server rules after changes.