How to Handle 404 Pages with Correct HTTP Status in Next.js 14

Learn how to properly return a `404` status code for custom Not Found pages in Next.js 14 for better SEO and user experience.
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Handling 404 Pages with Correct HTTP Status in Next.js 14

When developing a web application with Next.js, one common issue developers face is how to manage 404 Not Found pages effectively. This becomes particularly important in terms of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and overall user experience. If a 404 page does not return the correct HTTP status code, it can mislead search engines and confuse users. In this guide, we’ll explore how you can ensure that your custom 404 pages return the appropriate 404 status code in Next.js 14.

The Problem: Incorrect Status Code for Custom 404 Pages

If you've recently transitioned to Next.js 14, you might have noticed that a custom 404 page created at app/not-found.tsx is returning a 200 OK status code instead of the desired 404 Not Found status code. This can be problematic for several reasons:

SEO Impact: Search engines may index a 200 status page, thinking it contains valid content.

User Experience: Users accessing a non-existent page should be informed accordingly rather than receiving a generic success message.

The Cause of the Issue

The culprit of the incorrect status code primarily stems from Next.js 14’s new architecture, which includes automatic Suspense boundaries when using the app router. This change can inadvertently affect the behavior of how your application handles error pages, including non-existent routes.

Solution: Ensuring Correct Status Code for Custom 404 Pages

Step 1: Understand the Architecture

In Next.js 14, the introduction of the app directory has brought some changes to how certain features work. The Suspense boundaries are applied automatically, which may prevent your Not Found page from correctly returning a 404 status code.

Step 2: Custom 404 Page Implementation

You can create a custom 404 page by adding a file named not-found.tsx in the app directory. Here is a simple code structure:

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Step 3: Handle the Status Code

To ensure the page returns a 404 status code, you need to adjust your Next.js configuration. Since the app directory is still using the onError fallback, consider these approaches:

Edge Middleware: You can utilize edge middleware functions to handle routing before it hits your page components. This allows you to set appropriate status codes for specific routes, including 404 returns.

Example code for edge middleware:

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Configure Page Not Found Handling: Ensure that the correct data-fetching methods are not conflicting and causing the page to fall back to 200. You can analyze the existing loading component and see if it impacts the current routing or response behavior.

Conclusion

Handling 404 pages in Next.js 14 might seem challenging due to the new framework features, but with a clear understanding of its architecture and proper implementation methods, you can efficiently return the correct 404 status. By customizing your not-found.tsx page and utilizing edge middleware, you can improve both your SEO and overall user experience. Remember, a consistent and clear error handling strategy is vital for any web application’s success.

By adhering to these practices, you ensure that your application responds correctly and effectively to users accessing non-existent pages. Happy coding!

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