Redirection from 404 pages

ttrox

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Hello guys,

I got an old domain that has quite a few backlinks built in a lot of websites. Unfortunately, those links are no longer active and will display a 404 page.

I'm wondering, both seo-wise (search robots) and from the point of view of the visitors, should I add a plugin that redirects 404 to start page? Is that good or bad for SEO? I've read a few other posts about the same thing but I'm still wondering.

I've already put up a plugin that sets up a 301 redirection for 404 error codes for the time being though.

Thanks!
 
redirect your links by adding plugin like 404 redirect or any other.. 404 redirect is recommended..
 
Thanks guys! I will then leave the plugin that gives the 301 redirection when someone falls on a 404 page.
 
redirect your links by adding plugin like 404 redirect or any other.. 404 redirect is recommended..

why he should install stupid plugin when solution can be done with simply adding one line in .htaccess ? jesus christ what's wrong with people is it so hard to do so basic stuff and not looking for plugin for every little functionality. Same shit like one plugin that is adding amazon disclaimer in footer, like, it is hard to copy/paste disclaimer text manually so we will sell you stupid plugin to do the same and clog your wordpress installation to the point of crawling under X number of totally unnecessary plugins.
 
Just put this in .htaccess:

ErrorDocument 404 /index.php

and don't worry, it is normal webmaster practice, nothing to worry about seo.

redirect your links by adding plugin like 404 redirect or any other.. 404 redirect is recommended..

I have used in the past a simple .htaccess 301 to redirect to either the new page that substitutes the 404 page or the homepage or other pages. Am I right assuming this code will redirect to the homepage (if using Wordpress)? It looks obvious but just double checking.
 
Heh, you guys are totally right. I'm a programmer but I've turned lazy as hell with these things and lately expect everything from this or that plugin if it avoids me having to touch something on the code or configuration files in this case.

I will edit the .htaccess later and remove that useless plugin.

Thanks again!
 
It's a pretty popular method to put in a custom 404 page that lists a few different options. Like:

Oops, that page no longer exists. Here are some of the more common things you might be looking for:

Home
Pricing
Support
Videos
etc...
 
A cool way would be to set a meta redirect / script redirect on the 404 page, so that the visitor knows that he has hit a 4oh4 and gets redirected. The crawlers only see 404 page, so no difference SEO wise. ;)
 
Htaccess redirect will not pass link juice since its a Rewrite. So you're fine with 301 redirect using a plugin...
 
No one answer infact. looking for same thing.

OP may be able to redirect, olddomain.com/page1 to newdomain.com/page1

But question is, old expire domain have some quality link, those lead to 404. how to point those 404 to newdomain.com(homepage)
 
I would redirect it to a 404 error message page, but then forward it to the index page. Just what I would do.
 
On my adsense monetized sites that are old domains like that having an adsense block on the 404 page has been good to me
 
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