Redirects for Deleted Pages: When to Redirect and When to Return 404 or 410

Deletion is not always a redirect problem

Teams often redirect every removed page somewhere, but that can create noisy signals and weak relevance. A deleted URL only deserves a redirect when there is a genuinely fitting replacement.

When redirecting makes sense

Redirect when the old page has a clear successor, such as a new product page, a consolidated guide, or a renamed section with equivalent intent.

When 404 or 410 is better

If no real replacement exists, a clean 404 or 410 is usually more honest than sending users to the homepage or a broad category page.