HTTP 410 Gone vs 506 Variant Also Negotiates
HTTP 410 (Gone) is a 4xx Client Error response, while 506 (Variant Also Negotiates) is a 5xx Server Error response. 410 indicates that the resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent. In contrast, 506 means that the server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
Description
The resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent.
When You See It
When a resource has been deliberately removed and should be de-indexed by search engines.
How to Fix
Remove references to this URL. Search engines will de-index the page.
Description
The server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
When You See It
Rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
How to Fix
Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.
Key Differences
410 is a 4xx Client Error response, while 506 is a 5xx Server Error response.
HTTP 410: The resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent.
HTTP 506: The server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
You encounter 410 when when a resource has been deliberately removed and should be de-indexed by search engines.
You encounter 506 when rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
When to Use Which
For 410 (Gone): Remove references to this URL. Search engines will de-index the page. For 506 (Variant Also Negotiates): Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.