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Every year on New Year’s Day, Google’s John Mueller, along with other Google team members, takes to online forums to answer questions related to Google Search and SEO. This tradition has persisted for nearly two decades, with Mueller engaging with webmasters on platforms like Reddit, where he provides detailed insights on various search-related issues.
This morning, Mueller responded to a Reddit thread discussing the impact of large numbers of 404 errors in Google Search Console, specifically whether redirecting to the homepage or returning actual 404/410 responses is advisable. In his reply, Mueller emphasized that while these choices might influence user experience, they don’t significantly affect SEO directly.
He explained that 404 and 410 status codes are standard and expected behaviors for invalid URLs—they don’t harm your site’s SEO because they inform search engines that a page no longer exists. Redirects to the homepage, on the other hand, prevent indexing of that URL but might result in softer 404s if the page remains accessible or shows minimal content. Redirecting category pages can support user navigation temporarily but might cause confusion or be interpreted as soft 404s over time.
Mueller also noted that having a well-designed 404 page is beneficial for usability, helping users find what they’re seeking rather than leaving them stranded. Whether or not these technical choices impact SEO directly, the focus should be on providing a positive experience for visitors.
Additionally, Mueller shared a brief comment on a Reddit thread discussing common SEO tricks, noting that some issues feel like “every Monday,” implying routine problems in the field. On Bluesky, he wished a fellow user a happy new year, reaffirming his ongoing engagement in public discussions at the start of 2026.
Furthermore, Google’s Vice President of Engineering for Search, Rajan Patel, also joined the conversation early in the year, indicating ongoing efforts within Google to explore and address search and indexing concerns.
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