How can I fix the "Submitted URL seems to be a Soft 404" error for my Webflow sites when using Webmaster tools for SEO?
TL;DR
- Ensure the page has unique, valuable content, is published, well-linked, and doesn’t resemble an error or placeholder.
- Use Google’s URL Inspection Tool to check rendering issues, fix any errors, and request indexing after updates.
A “Soft 404” in Google Search Console indicates that a page returns a 200 OK status but appears to users—and to Google—as if it doesn't exist. This can harm indexing and SEO visibility.
1. Understand Why It's a Soft 404
- Google thinks the page has little or no content, or shows error-like content (e.g., “Page Not Found” text).
- The page may lack body text, have generic or low-quality placeholder content, or be mostly empty.
- Sometimes pages with JavaScript-rendered elements that don't load properly can trigger this.
2. Validate the Page Content
- Visit the URL in your browser and ask yourself: would a user find this page useful?
- Ensure the page contains:
- Enough unique written content (like text, headings, meta data)
- A meaningful page title and meta description
- Clear navigation and structure
- Avoid “dummy” or template text like “Coming Soon,” “No content yet,” or just a header and footer.
3. Use Google’s URL Inspection Tool
- In Google Search Console, Inspect the URL showing the Soft 404.
- Click “Test Live URL” to see what Google actually renders.
- If it differs from your browser view, Webflow elements may not be loading properly for Google’s crawler.
4. Ensure Page Is Properly Published and Linked
- Make sure the page is published and not a draft in Webflow.
- Verify it’s linked from other pages—Google finds orphan pages (no internal links) as low quality.
5. Check for Redirects or Error Styling
- The page might visually look like a 404 due to styling.
- Ensure no design elements like “This page doesn’t exist” mistakenly appear.
- Check Webflow page settings to see if any redirects are accidentally applied.
- Go to Project Settings > Hosting > 301 Redirects and confirm this URL isn’t redirected.
6. Add Canonical and Indexing Tags
- Ensure the page doesn’t have a noindex meta tag in Page Settings > SEO Settings.
- Include a canonical tag only if necessary; use it correctly to avoid hinting at duplication.
7. Resubmit the Fixed Page
- After updating the page content and resolving issues, go back to Google Search Console.
- Use the “Validate Fix” or “Request Indexing” feature in the URL Inspection Tool.
Summary
To fix a "Soft 404" on your Webflow site, ensure the page has meaningful content, is properly linked and published, and does not mimic an error page. Use Google’s Inspection Tool to debug how Googlebot sees the page and request indexing after resolving issues.