What Does 410 Mean? How to Resolve It Better

When browsing the web, you might come across a message that reads “Error 410.” If you’re not familiar with what 410 means, it can be confusing and frustrating. In this article, we will explore the meaning of 410 in the context of web development and explain why it occurs. We’ll also discuss how to fix it if you encounter an error on your website.

What does 410 mean?

Error 410 is a status code that indicates the requested resource is no longer available on the server and has been permanently removed. In other words, the server has gone, and the requested resource is gone with it.

The 410 status code is different from the more common 404 status code, which means that the server can’t find the requested resource. When a website returns a 404 error, it means that the server is still running, but the page or resource you are looking for doesn’t exist. However, when a website returns a 410 error, it means that the server has permanently deleted the page or resource you are looking for and won’t be bringing it back.

Why Does Error 410 Occur?

There are several reasons why a website might return a 410 error. These are a few examples of the most common:

  1. Page or Resource is Deleted

The most common reason for a 410 error is that the page or resource you are trying to access has been deleted. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the content becoming outdated or the website undergoing a redesign that requires the removal of certain pages or resources.

  1. Page or Resource is Moved

In some cases, a website might move a page or resource to a new location on the server or even to a new domain entirely. When this happens, the website will usually set up a redirect from the old URL to the new one, so that visitors who have bookmarked the old page or are following links to it can still access the content. However, if the website owner forgets to set up the redirect or if the redirect is not working correctly, visitors will receive a 410 error when they try to access the old URL.

  1. Server Configuration Issues

Sometimes, a 410 error can occur due to server configuration issues. For example, if the website owner changes the domain name of the website but forgets to update the server settings to point to the new domain, visitors will receive a 410 error when they try to access the site.

  1. Malware or Hackers

In rare cases, a 410 error can occur due to malware or hacker activity. If a hacker gains access to a website’s server and deletes pages or resources, the website owner may choose to respond by removing those pages or resources permanently and returning a 410 error to visitors.

How to Fix Error 410

If you encounter a 410 error when browsing the web, there isn’t much you can do to fix the problem. As we mentioned earlier, a 410 error indicates that the requested resource is gone for good, so there is no way to access it.

However, if you are a website owner and you receive reports of a 410 error on your site, there are several steps you can take to address the issue:

  1. Check Your Server Logs

The first step in addressing a 410 error is to check your server logs to see if there are any errors or issues that could be causing the problem. Your server logs will provide information about which pages or resources are returning a 410 error and may help you identify the root cause of the problem.

  1. Check for Redirects

If you recently moved a page or resource to a new location, it’s important to make sure that you set up a redirect from the old URL to the new one. You can use a 301 redirect to inform search engines and visitors that the page has permanently moved to a new URL. This will help prevent visitors from encountering a 410 error and losing access to the content they are looking for.

  1. Update Your Sitemap

If you have removed pages or resources from your site, it’s important to update your sitemap to reflect these changes. A sitemap is a file that provides information about the structure of your website and helps search engines crawl and index your content. By updating your sitemap, you can inform search engines that certain pages or resources are no longer available, which can help prevent the pages from appearing in search results and causing confusion for visitors.

  1. Provide a Custom Error Page

If visitors do encounter a 410 error on your site, it’s important to provide a custom error page that explains what happened and directs them to other relevant content on your site. This can help prevent visitors from leaving your site in frustration and may even help retain some of your traffic. A custom error page can also provide an opportunity to showcase your brand and personality, which can help build trust and engagement with your audience.

Conclusion

In summary, a 410 error indicates that the requested resource is permanently gone and is no longer available on the server. This error can occur for several reasons, including the deletion or movement of pages or resources, server configuration issues, and malware or hacker activity. If you encounter this error when browsing the web, there is little you can do to fix the problem.

However, if you are a website owner, there are several steps you can take to address the issue and prevent visitors from encountering the error. By checking your server logs, setting up redirects, updating your sitemap, and providing a custom error page, you can help ensure that your site is running smoothly and that visitors can find the information they are looking for.