Google Enhanced 404 Error Page Widget

I logged into Google’s Webmaster Tools today and noticed a new option for Enhanced 404 Error Pages. When a user clicks on a link to a page that’s no longer available on your site, your server returns a 404 (Page Not Found) error. By placing this Google widget on your custom 404 error page it can help users who go to your site and receive a Page Not Found error by:

• suggesting an alternative page that they might be looking for
• adding a search box for your site with appropriate search suggestions

This handy little widget also points users to your sitemap so that they can find what they are looking for.

See the widget in action on my website below:

It’s in an experimental phase now but you should give it a try. All you need to use this widget is to have your own custom 404 error page.

Login to Webmaster Tools, Select Tools, and then Enhance 404 Pages to grab the code. For advanced users you have the ability to change the appearance of your custom 404 widget by using CSS. Maybe in the future they can hook that up with Adsense.

Enjoy!

Gina

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