Google adds 404 page tool for webmasters

20/08/2008

Google has added a feature to its Webmaster Tools service to allow site owners to customise 404 'not found' error pages.

The option enables webmasters to create tailored 404 pages embedded with a widget as part of their web design, helping site visitors to get to the content they want by offering suggestions that are based on the incorrect URL.

This widget can also offer a link to the parent subdirectory, a sitemap webpage or site search query suggestions and search box, if these are available.

Sahala Swenson of Google's Webmaster Tools team commented on the Webmaster Central blog: "This feature is currently experimental - we might not provide corrections and suggestions for your site, but we'll be working to improve the coverage."

Last week, Maile Ohye of Google clarified on the same blog that the search engine may use the content or links in a 404 error page if it helps the company to understand the website in question better.