Hello,
I understand you are looking to improve your SEO, and you have a concern about the 404 error page on your website. It’s recommended that when a page no longer exists, the server should return a 404 HTTP status code along with a custom 404 error page to inform users that the page they are looking for is not available.
Having a custom 404 error page with a clear message like “404 – Page Not Found” is beneficial for user experience and search engine optimization. This helps visitors understand that the content they are looking for is not available and provides them with options to navigate your site effectively.
If your current error page is displaying a different message or status code, such as a soft 404, it’s advisable to update it to a proper 404 error page for better SEO practices.
If you need assistance in setting up a custom 404 error page or making sure it displays the correct 404 status code, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concern.
Sources:
How to Find Out Where 404 Errors Are Coming From » Rank Math
How to Fix the Submitted URL Seems to Be a “Soft 404” Error » Rank Math
Solving Redirection Issues Using Rank Math SEO Plugin » Rank Math
Hello,
Yes, the 404 page status should be 404, and the page you have redirected is returning a 200 OK status.
You can refer to these guides on how to create the custom 404 properly using different methods:
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/custom-404-page-wordpress/466665/
https://www.semrush.com/blog/custom-404-page-wordpress/
Looking forward to helping you.
Hello,
Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.
If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you.
