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 contains meaningful, indexable content and isn’t using placeholders or hidden elements.
- If the page isn’t needed, delete it or apply a 301 redirect; then verify the correct status code and request indexing in Google Search Console.
The "Submitted URL seems to be a Soft 404" error in Google Search Console means a page appears not to exist even though it returns a 200 (OK) status code. This is common in Webflow if a page lacks meaningful content or is misconfigured.
1. Understand Why It’s a Soft 404
- A Soft 404 occurs when a page displays error-like content (e.g., “page not found” or minimal content) but still returns a 200 status code.
- Google expects actual content or a suitable redirect/404 status if the page isn’t valid.
2. Check the Affected Page’s Content
- Visit the URL and verify it has enough unique, valuable content.
- Common triggers:
- Pages with only a single sentence or placeholder text.
- CMS Collection pages with missing dynamic data.
- Empty template pages without custom content.
3. Update the Page With Relevant Content
- Add meaningful, indexable content (text, images, internal links).
- Avoid pages that load empty states like “No blog posts yet.”
- Ensure CMS data is available for the Collection Template (e.g., don’t publish a blog post template if it’s incomplete or empty).
4. Check for Conditional Visibility or Display Settings
- In Webflow Designer, inspect elements for conditional visibility.
- If all elements are hidden due to conditions (e.g., missing CMS fields), the page may appear empty.
5. Use Proper Redirects or 404 Settings
- If the page is not meant to exist:
- Delete the static/CMS item and let Webflow serve a native 404.
- Or, set up a 301 redirect in Project Settings > Hosting > 301 Redirects to send traffic to an alternative valid page.
6. Verify HTTP Response Code
- Use a tool like https://httpstatus.io to ensure the URL returns the correct status:
- Valid content should return 200 OK.
- Non-existent or removed content should return 404 or be redirected (301).
7. Resubmit in Google Search Console
- After making corrections, go to Search Console > URL Inspection.
- Enter the affected URL, click “Request Indexing”, and monitor backend processing.
Summary
To fix a soft 404 on your Webflow site, ensure the page has valuable, indexable content and isn’t showing as empty or a placeholder. If the page shouldn’t exist, delete it or redirect it. Always confirm a proper status code and request reindexing in Search Console.