How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404

NickL · 10-27-2008, 02:13 PM

Google requires a 404 error on a page before you can request it be moved out of their index.

My problem is that I am using a system that dynamically generates the path to a page. Google has indexed all my pages with underscores in the names (my mistake) - now I want to change everything to hyphens. BUT - the old underscore pages are still "valid" because of the dynamic system I am using - so Google will have a duplicate content issue for each of these pages (basically the entire site will be duplicated). I cannot make them "invalid".

I have NO way to throw a 404 (or a 302 / 301) with URL rewriting because of this system. It is out of my control (spent 3 hours with tech support last night).

SO: How can I get Google to drop the pages with underscores from their index without them returning a 404? I know that using hyphens is MUCH better for SEO - and I want to make the switch before I launch a huge link building campaign.

Any advice?

JJOrana · 10-27-2008, 03:37 PM

You register your site google webmaster tool and tell google not to crawl that page. You may need to send them an xml sitemap.

NickL · 10-27-2008, 04:27 PM

Yeah - I looked into that - I use Google webmaster tools. Once a page is in Google's index, it stays there as long as the URL is valid. You can request that URLs be removed from Google's index, but to do so, the URL must return a 404 error. Since I cannot get the system I am paying for to make those pages return a 404, they "look" valid to Google - so the G-mon will not remove them.

I was wondering if I exclude those pages using the Robots file - will Google eventually remove them from the index - or will they be duplicates of my new pages.

Thanks for replying - I appreciate it. Any more thoughts.... anyone.... anyone? :-)

dburk · 10-28-2008, 12:14 AM

Hi NickL,

The ability to do a 301 Permanent Redirect is such a simple and fundamental requirement of any web platform. If the platform you are on does not permit this essential and basic feature you need to fly away from them as fast as possible.

Don't let other people's incompetence ruin your prospects.

NickL · 10-28-2008, 10:12 AM

Good point.

10-27-2008, 02:13 PM	#1
NickL HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 122 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 43 Thanked 117 Times in 72 Posts	How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404 Google requires a 404 error on a page before you can request it be moved out of their index. My problem is that I am using a system that dynamically generates the path to a page. Google has indexed all my pages with underscores in the names (my mistake) - now I want to change everything to hyphens. BUT - the old underscore pages are still "valid" because of the dynamic system I am using - so Google will have a duplicate content issue for each of these pages (basically the entire site will be duplicated). I cannot make them "invalid". I have NO way to throw a 404 (or a 302 / 301) with URL rewriting because of this system. It is out of my control (spent 3 hours with tech support last night). SO: How can I get Google to drop the pages with underscores from their index without them returning a 404? I know that using hyphens is MUCH better for SEO - and I want to make the switch before I launch a huge link building campaign. Any advice?
	Have an Excellent Day! ~ Nick [1240+ SOLD - CLOSING] Last Chance! Get Paid $300 Each Time! Rock Facebook Time-Lines and Much More!

10-27-2008, 03:37 PM	#2
JJOrana Purpose Driven Business War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 875 Thanks: 22 Thanked 37 Times in 28 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404 You register your site google webmaster tool and tell google not to crawl that page. You may need to send them an xml sitemap.
	How I Generated 1,053,868 FREE Visitors In 12 Months - VIDEO PROOF!

10-27-2008, 04:27 PM	#3
NickL HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 122 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 43 Thanked 117 Times in 72 Posts	Re: How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404 Yeah - I looked into that - I use Google webmaster tools. Once a page is in Google's index, it stays there as long as the URL is valid. You can request that URLs be removed from Google's index, but to do so, the URL must return a 404 error. Since I cannot get the system I am paying for to make those pages return a 404, they "look" valid to Google - so the G-mon will not remove them. I was wondering if I exclude those pages using the Robots file - will Google eventually remove them from the index - or will they be duplicates of my new pages. Thanks for replying - I appreciate it. Any more thoughts.... anyone.... anyone? :-)
	Have an Excellent Day! ~ Nick [1240+ SOLD - CLOSING] Last Chance! Get Paid $300 Each Time! Rock Facebook Time-Lines and Much More!

10-28-2008, 12:14 AM	#4
dburk Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 4,643 Thanks: 162 Thanked 671 Times in 581 Posts Contact Info	Re: How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404 Hi NickL, The ability to do a 301 Permanent Redirect is such a simple and fundamental requirement of any web platform. If the platform you are on does not permit this essential and basic feature you need to fly away from them as fast as possible. Don't let other people's incompetence ruin your prospects.
	Don Burk * Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management * Get a Keyword Domain Name - www.SeriousNames.com

10-28-2008, 10:12 AM	#5
NickL HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fair Oaks, CA Posts: 122 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 43 Thanked 117 Times in 72 Posts	Re: How to Get a Page OUT of Google without a 404 Good point.
	Have an Excellent Day! ~ Nick [1240+ SOLD - CLOSING] Last Chance! Get Paid $300 Each Time! Rock Facebook Time-Lines and Much More!