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ErrorDocument 404 http://mysite.com

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by classifieds, Dec 29, 2004.

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  1. #1
    I’m at a cross roads in site evolution (moving from beta to production) and I have an opportune time to make modifications to the system.

    The site is php/mysql with mod-rewrite.

    I have apache configured for: ErrorDocument 404 http://mysite.com

    It’s heavily crawled and most ads/pages end up in the SE indexes within a few days or a week of posting.

    Every day I have x number of classified ads that are either removed by the user (item has sold) or are expired by the system.

    In either case the ad/page is deleted and I rely on the apache ErrorDocument 404 command to redirect to an existing “you just tried to access a page that does not exist” page.

    The question is:

    Am I causing myself any harm from the SEs seeing these 404 redirects?

    It is possible for me to leave the ads up and mark them as SOLD or EXPIRED but it feels like a bad thing to do from the user’s perspective.

    Any advice or input would be appreciated.

    -jay
     
    classifieds, Dec 29, 2004 IP
  2. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #2
    Hi Jay

    down here in New Zealand we have a site called trademe which is an auction site. They leave all items up but with sold and relevant public information. This is good because
    * search engine thinks there is an ever increasing number of pages in the site
    * search engine doesn't get a 404
    * users can compare prices
    * users can research the sellers / buyers

    If you remove the page and redirect to a 404 then
    * the header should be 404, don't be tempted to change it to 200
    * the search engine won't keep hitting old pages

    I have a Google Alert on a few terms and was amused to find it reporting on an old trademe auction, long closed but still being indexed.

    You need to consider what your advertisers want. Do they want old deals advertised? Will they set a pricing precedent?

    As for harm, I don't think there is an issue so long as the fresh content keeps coming.

    Sarah
     
    sarahk, Dec 29, 2004 IP
  3. classifieds

    classifieds Sopchoppy Flash

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    #3
    Sarah,

    Thanks for the feedback. I've spent too much time thinking about the user experience (buyer) and not the postive impact of hanging onto the ads/pages.

    I can make my expired listings say something like "Expire or Sold" and add a pitch and link to view similar items.

    Thanks again!!

    -jay
     
    classifieds, Dec 29, 2004 IP