How to Remove 404 Error Pages from Google Search Console

404 error pages can be a headache, especially when they show up in Google search results. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of removing 404 error pages from Google Search Console to keep your site clean and ensure a better user experience.

Step 1: Identify the 404 Error Page

First, you’ll need to identify the 404 error page you want to remove from Google’s index. Visit your website in Google search results and locate the error page. Once you’ve found it, copy the page’s URL.

Step 2: Access Google Search Console

Log in to your Google Search Console account. Ensure you’re working on the correct property, as managing the wrong site could lead to unintended consequences.

Step 3: Navigate to Removals

Once inside Google Search Console, click on the “Removals” option. Here, you’ll be able to submit a request to remove the 404 error page from Google’s index.

Step 4: Submit a New Request

Click on “New Request” under the Temporary Removals section. Paste the URL of the 404 error page you copied earlier. If you have multiple pages under a specific product or category, you can choose to remove all URLs with a particular prefix instead of removing each one individually.

Step 5: Finalize the Request

After entering the URL or prefix, click “Next.” Google will process this removal for about six months. After that period, Google may attempt to reindex the page. If you want to prevent this, there’s a solution.

Step 6: Prevent Reindexing (WordPress Users)

If you’re using WordPress and want to prevent Google from reindexing the page after six months, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Settings” and then click on “Reading.”
3. Ensure that “Search Engine Visibility” is checked to discourage search engines from indexing your site.
4. Save the changes.

If you only want to prevent a few pages from being indexed, you can use a plugin like Rank Math. After installing and activating the plugin, edit the specific article, go to the “Advanced” tab, and select “No Index.”

Step 7: Verify the Removal

To confirm that the 404 error page has been removed, search for the page using the “site:” operator in Google. If the page still appears in search results, the removal process may still be ongoing.

Conclusion

Removing 404 error pages from Google Search Console is a straightforward process, but it’s important to take the right steps to ensure they don’t reappear. By following this guide, you can effectively manage your site’s search presence and maintain a better experience for your visitors.

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