All 404 Redirect to Homepage: A Smart Fix for Broken Links
We’ve recently implemented a useful plugin on several client websites — especially older ones — called “All 404 Redirect to Homepage.” As the name suggests, this tool automatically redirects any broken or deleted page (404 error) back to your website’s homepage.
Why It Matters:
When a user clicks on a link to a page that no longer exists — maybe it was renamed, moved, or deleted — they’re met with a frustrating “Page Not Found” message. This doesn’t just confuse your visitors — it damages your reputation and your search engine rankings.
Search engines penalise websites that have broken links. They see them as a sign of neglect or poor maintenance. Redirecting those 404 errors to your homepage keeps visitors on-site and improves how search engines view your site.
You Can Customise the Redirect
While the homepage is the default redirect, you can also set it to a custom landing page — for example:
“Oops! That page no longer exists, but here’s where you can go instead.”
From there, you can guide users to your key pages or offers.
Bonus Benefit: Improved Security
This plugin can also help block basic hacking attempts. WordPress admin pages are often targeted by bots using routes like /admin. With All 404 Redirect installed, these attempts simply bounce back to the homepage. It’s a simple but effective layer of security that filters out common, low-level attacks.
Final Thoughts
All 404 Redirect to Homepage is a quick, smart improvement for your website — boosting usability, SEO, and even basic security. If your site doesn’t already have it installed, we highly recommend it.
Need help implementing it on your WordPress site?
