Title: Google webmaster tools alert – soft 404 error Last modified: August 31, 2016 --- # Google webmaster tools alert – soft 404 error * Resolved [caycompass](https://wordpress.org/support/users/caycompass/) * (@caycompass) * [10 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/) * Hello, We’re seeing soft 404 errors from the events calendar. These soft 404 errors are in this format: * events/(date) events/category/(category-name)/(date) * These are from days without an event. If that’s the case, the list will only get bigger. * The links appear to go to this message: * “No matching events listed under ___(category/date)___. Please try another day.” * However this “page” isn’t recognized by google bots as a valid link, hence the soft 404. * Is there a setting we’re missing? If not, is there a workaround, or a solution on the horizon? * From Google webmaster tools: “Your server returns a code other than 404 or 410 for a non-existent page (or redirecting users to another page, such as the homepage, instead of returning a 404). This creates a poor experience for searchers and search engines.” * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/the-events-calendar/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/the-events-calendar/) Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) * [Éloïse](https://wordpress.org/support/users/myutiny/) * (@myutiny) * [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023955) * Hello, * I have the exact same issue. * I have only been using The Events Calendar for two months, but the 404 appeared only at the beginning of February. Could this be a bug, following an update of the plug-in ? * Thanks for helping, * Éloïse * [Clifford Paulick](https://wordpress.org/support/users/cliffpaulick/) * (@cliffpaulick) * [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023978) * Hi. Could you please provide a link to a couple examples on your site so we can investigate further? * [Éloïse](https://wordpress.org/support/users/myutiny/) * (@myutiny) * [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023979) * Hi, * I have 245 “404 errors”. Here are some of them: * [http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/sorties-comics/aujourdhui/](http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/sorties-comics/aujourdhui/) [http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/festivals-comic-cons/2016-02-01/](http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/festivals-comic-cons/2016-02-01/) [http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/sorties-comics/2016-03-03/](http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/sorties-comics/2016-03-03/) [http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/dedicaces/2016-01-26/](http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/dedicaces/2016-01-26/) [http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/festivals-comic-cons/2016-02-10/](http://www.glenatcomics.com/evenements/categorie/festivals-comic-cons/2016-02-10/) * Basically, they all have the same pattern. Only the date changes. * Thank you, * Éloïse * Thread Starter [caycompass](https://wordpress.org/support/users/caycompass/) * (@caycompass) * [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023980) * Hi, It appears on days and categories where there is nothing listed. * [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/2015-12/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/2015-12/) [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/2016-06-14/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/2016-06-14/) [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/sports/today/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/sports/today/) [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/conference/list/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/conference/list/) [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/entertainment/2015-11-04/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/entertainment/2015-11-04/) [https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/public-holiday/2016-07-05/](https://www.caymancompass.com/events/category/public-holiday/2016-07-05/) * This is what Google recommended in their message to webmaster: * [https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/2409443?utm_source=wnc_657800&utm_medium=gamma&utm_campaign=wnc_657800&utm_content=msg_721000&hl=en](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/2409443?utm_source=wnc_657800&utm_medium=gamma&utm_campaign=wnc_657800&utm_content=msg_721000&hl=en) * [joinfof](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joinfof/) * (@joinfof) * [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023991) * Hello and thanks for the post. * We’ve broken down how our plugin serves errors – you can read more about that [here](https://theeventscalendar.com/knowledgebase/404_and_seo/). * The gist of it is this: * > A traditional 404 is not bad in of itself; often a 404 code is simply the most > appropriate status code for a given situation. > Though it can be daunting to be faced with a long list of 404s – soft or otherwise– > when you use a service like Google Webmaster Tools, it is worth asking yourself,“ > Am I being faced with a list of problems that will actually impact my search > ranking – or is this merely helpful diagnostic information?” * I hope this information helps and please feel free to open a new thread should you have any more questions. Have great week and thanks for choosing The Events Calendar! Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total) The topic ‘Google webmaster tools alert – soft 404 error’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://ps.w.org/the-events-calendar/assets/icon-256x256.gif?rev=2516440) * [The Events Calendar](https://wordpress.org/plugins/the-events-calendar/) * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/the-events-calendar/#faq) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/the-events-calendar/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/the-events-calendar/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/the-events-calendar/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/the-events-calendar/reviews/) ## Tags * [soft 404](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/soft-404/) * 5 replies * 4 participants * Last reply from: [joinfof](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joinfof/) * Last activity: [10 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/google-webmaster-tools-alert-soft-404-error/#post-7023991) * Status: resolved