Outdated content: how to remove it with Google Search Console

This article addresses the challenge of how to remove outdated content and explores this subject in depth, in line with the main article on Google Search Console, to provide clear, practical guidance for SEO professionals.

Google Search Console: how to remove outdated content effectively

Use this feature with care. It is particularly useful if your website has been compromised and is hosting unauthorised content, or if you have undergone a significant change in brand direction and need to remove old, now irrelevant content.

What is outdated content and why should you remove it?

Outdated content refers to any page, resource or information that is no longer relevant or up to date, and whose presence can undermine the overall quality of your website. Retaining such pages can harm user experience and reduce your site's perceived value in search results. Removing outdated content enhances your SEO performance and ensures Google focuses its crawl on your most important pages.

How can you identify outdated content using this tool?

The Incremys SEO 360° Audit module, which integrates Google Search Console data via API, enables you to pinpoint pages that are losing traffic or have become redundant. By analysing impressions and click-through rates (CTR), you can highlight which content should be updated or removed.

Steps to remove outdated content

How do you submit a removal request using the dedicated tool?

Google Search Console offers a tool for requesting the temporary removal of a URL or outdated content. Go to the "Removals" section and click "New Request". Enter the relevant URL and select the appropriate option. This will remove the item from Google’s results for around six months. It is important to also delete the page or add a noindex tag.

How do you permanently remove a URL or ensure effective deletion?

To permanently remove a URL, delete it from your server (returning a 404 or 410 status), then request removal via the dedicated tool. If the page is being replaced, set up a 301 redirect to the new resource. The Incremys SEO 360° Audit module helps you prioritise these actions.

What if the content remains visible or your request is denied?

If outdated content is still appearing, check that the page has been properly removed from your server or that a noindex tag is present. The inspection tool in Google Search Console allows you to monitor the indexing status. If your request is refused, address the issue identified and resubmit your request.

How should you handle redirects and the removal of the 's' in https?

Removing the 's' from https means reverting to a less secure protocol, which is strongly discouraged. If you must do so, set up 301 redirects to the new URLs and ensure the new property is correctly declared in Google Search Console.

For a broader approach to SEO optimisation, the Incremys platform offers additional modules for opportunity analysis, editorial management and performance reporting. For more expert advice and best practices, visit the Incremys Blog.