When managing a website, you will eventually encounter errors like 404 or Soft 404. These errors usually appear in tools like Google Search Console and can confuse many beginners in SEO.
At first glance, both seem similar because they indicate that a page may not exist. However, technically and from an SEO perspective, they are very different.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between 404 and Soft 404 errors, why they matter for SEO, and how to fix them.
What is a 404 Error?
A 404 error (also called a hard 404) occurs when a user or search engine tries to access a webpage that does not exist on the server.
In this case, the server returns the HTTP status code: 404 – Not Found
This tells search engines clearly that the page is unavailable and should not be indexed.
For example: Imagine you previously had a page: example.com/old-blog-post
Later you delete that page.
Now if someone visits the URL, the server returns a 404 error, indicating that the page no longer exists.
Example
Think of visiting a shop that has permanently closed. There’s a sign on the door saying:
“Sorry, this store no longer exists.”
That is exactly how a 404 error works for websites.
Is a 404 Error Bad for SEO?
Not necessarily.
Search engines expect some 404 pages because websites change over time. When Google finds a real 404:
- It eventually removes the page from the index
- Stops wasting crawl resources on it
- Drops its ranking signals over time
So intentional 404 errors are completely normal.
What is a Soft 404 Error?
A Soft 404 error occurs when a webpage looks like it doesn’t exist, but the server returns a 200 OK status code instead of 404.
This creates confusion because:
- The page tells users “not found”
- But the server tells search engines “everything is fine”
Since there is no official HTTP code called Soft 404, it’s actually a label used by search engines when they detect this mismatch.
Example
A deleted product page shows this message: “This product is no longer available.”
But the server response is still: 200 OK
So:
- Users think the page is gone
- Google thinks the page exists
This situation is called a Soft 404.
Example
Imagine visiting a shop where the door is open and the sign says “Open”, but inside there are no products and no staff.
Technically the shop is open, but practically it’s useless.
That’s exactly how Soft 404 pages behave for search engines.
Key Differences Between 404 and Soft 404
| Feature | 404 Error | Soft 404 Error |
| HTTP Status Code | 404 (Not Found) | Usually 200 OK |
| Page Exists? | No | Technically yes, but content missing |
| Clarity for Search Engines | Clear signal | Confusing signal |
| Crawl Budget Impact | Efficient | Wastes crawl budget |
| SEO Impact | Usually harmless | Can cause indexing issues |
A real 404 clearly tells search engines the page is gone, while a soft 404 sends mixed signals that can harm crawling and indexing.
Why Soft 404 Errors Are a Problem for SEO
Soft 404 errors can create multiple SEO issues.
1. Waste Crawl Budget
Search engines continue crawling pages that should not exist, wasting valuable crawl resources.
2. Indexing Low-Quality Pages
Since the server returns 200 OK, Google may treat the page as valid and try to index it.
This can lead to:
- Thin content
- Duplicate pages
- Poor search visibility
3. Poor User Experience
Users expect useful content when they click a link.
If they land on a page with no meaningful content, they usually leave immediately.
That increases:
- Bounce rate
- User frustration
- Lost conversions
Common Causes of Soft 404 Errors
Soft 404s usually happen due to technical misconfigurations.
1. Redirecting Deleted Pages to Homepage
Some websites redirect every removed URL to the homepage.
Example: old-product-page → homepage
Google may treat this as a soft 404 because the content is unrelated.
2. Empty or Thin Pages
Pages with very little content may be flagged as soft 404.
Examples:
- Empty category pages
- Placeholder pages
- Removed product pages
3. Wrong Server Configuration
Sometimes the server shows a “page not found” message but returns 200 status code.This is the most common cause.
How to Fix Soft 404 Errors
Fixing soft 404 errors depends on the situation.
If the page is permanently deleted
Return a proper HTTP status:
404 Not Found
or
410 Gone
If a replacement page exists
Use a 301 redirect to a relevant page.
Example: old-product → new-product
If the page should exist
Improve the page content so it provides real value to users.
Add:
- Useful information
- Internal links
- Proper content structure
Best Practices for Managing 404 Errors
Follow these best practices for healthy SEO.
- Use a custom 404 page with helpful navigation
- Fix broken internal links
- Redirect important deleted pages
- Regularly check errors in Search Console
These steps ensure users and search engines understand your website structure clearly.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between 404 and Soft 404 errors is essential for technical SEO.
- A 404 error clearly tells search engines that a page does not exist.
- A Soft 404 error sends confusing signals and can harm crawl efficiency.
In simple terms:
- 404 = honest error
- Soft 404 = misleading signal
By properly handling these errors, you help search engines crawl your website more efficiently and maintain a healthier SEO structure.
FAQs:
1. What is a 404 error in SEO?
A 404 error occurs when a webpage cannot be found on the server. It means the page either never existed or was deleted. When a server returns a 404 status code, search engines understand that the page is unavailable and will eventually remove it from their index.
2. What is a Soft 404 error?
A Soft 404 error happens when a webpage appears to be missing or empty but the server returns a 200 OK status code instead of 404. This sends mixed signals to search engines, making them think the page exists even though it provides little or no useful content.
3. How can I find 404 and Soft 404 errors on my website?
You can find these errors using tools like:
- Google Search Console
- Website audit tools
- SEO crawlers
In Google Search Console, check the Pages or Indexing report to identify URLs with 404 or Soft 404 issues.
4. Do 404 errors hurt SEO?
Not necessarily. A few 404 errors are normal because websites change over time. However, too many broken links or important pages returning 404 errors can harm user experience and reduce SEO performance.
5. How do you fix Soft 404 errors?
You can fix Soft 404 errors by:
- Returning the correct 404 or 410 status code
- Redirecting the page using a 301 redirect to a relevant page
- Adding useful content if the page should exist
The right solution depends on whether the page should remain, be replaced, or be permanently removed.
6. What is the difference between a 404 and a Soft 404?
The main difference is the server response code:
- 404 error: Server correctly returns 404 Not Found
- Soft 404 error: Page appears missing but server returns 200 OK
Because of this mismatch, Soft 404 errors can confuse search engines and affect crawling efficiency.
7. Should I redirect all 404 pages to the homepage?
No, this is not recommended. Redirecting every missing page to the homepage can create Soft 404 issues and confuse users. It’s better to:
- Redirect to a relevant page, or
- Return a proper 404 status code.
8. Can Soft 404 errors affect crawl budget?
Yes. Soft 404 errors can waste crawl budget because search engines continue crawling pages that should not exist. When many soft 404 pages are present, search engines may spend less time crawling important pages on your website.