When content is removed.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Simply delete a page that had visitors or links.
THE OPTIONS
Redirect to the closest equivalent Keep the page and mark it as no longer available Let it return a not-found error, if genuinely nothing relates
WHEN TO REDIRECT
There is an equivalent page.
WHEN TO KEEP THE PAGE
A discontinued product, where customers still search for it.
Keep the page, say it is discontinued, link to alternatives.
That captures the traffic and helps the visitor.
WHEN A NOT-FOUND IS CORRECT
The page genuinely has no equivalent and no value.
Not-found errors are normal and not harmful in themselves.
YOUR NOT-FOUND PAGE
Should be useful: a search box, links to main sections, your contact details.
Not a bare error message.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Search Console reports not-found errors.
Check whether they are pages that should exist, or old addresses worth redirecting.
WHAT TO REDIRECT
Anything receiving traffic or with links pointing at it.
