=== Auto Redirect 404 to Custom URL ===
Contributors: nityasaha
Donate link: https://buymeacoffee.com/nityasaha
Tags: 404 redirect, auto redirect, seo redirect, fix 404, 301 redirect
Requires at least: 4.7
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 7.0
Stable tag: 1.0.1
License: GPL v2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Automatically redirect all 404 errors to a custom URL or homepage. Fix 404 errors in Google Search Console with SEO-friendly 301 redirects.

== Description ==

**Auto Redirect 404 to Custom URL** is a lightweight WordPress plugin that automatically redirects all 404 (Page Not Found) errors to a custom URL or your site's homepage. Stop losing visitors and improve your SEO by eliminating broken links and fixing 404 errors reported in Google Search Console.

When visitors land on a broken link or deleted page, they're automatically redirected to your chosen destination instead of seeing an error page. This keeps users engaged and prevents them from leaving your site.

= Key Features =

* **Custom URL Redirection** - Redirect 404 errors to any URL of your choice
* **Homepage Redirection** - Optionally redirect to your WordPress homepage
* **SEO-Friendly 301 Redirects** - Permanent redirects that preserve SEO value
* **Fix Google Search Console Errors** - Resolve 404 errors reported in GSC
* **Easy Configuration** - Simple settings page in WordPress admin
* **Lightweight & Fast** - No bloat, minimal performance impact
* **Automatic Detection** - Works instantly after activation
* **Compatible with All Themes** - Works with any WordPress theme

= Why Use This Plugin? =

404 errors negatively impact:
* User experience - visitors leave frustrated
* SEO rankings - search engines penalize broken links
* Conversion rates - potential customers bounce away
* Site credibility - broken pages look unprofessional

This plugin solves these problems automatically with proper 301 redirects.

= Perfect For =

* Fixing 404 errors after site migrations
* Redirecting deleted pages and posts
* Improving Google Search Console health
* Enhancing user experience on older sites
* SEO optimization and link management

= Support the Developer =

If you find this plugin helpful, please consider [buying me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/nityasaha) to support continued development and updates!

== Installation ==

= Automatic Installation =

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to **Plugins > Add New**
3. Search for "Auto Redirect 404 to Custom URL"
4. Click **Install Now** and then **Activate**
5. Go to **Settings > Auto Redirect 404s** to configure

= Manual Installation =

1. Download the plugin ZIP file
2. Upload the `auto-redirect-404s` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`
3. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** menu in WordPress
4. Navigate to **Settings > Auto Redirect 404s** to configure your redirect URL

= Configuration =

1. After activation, go to **Settings > Auto Redirect 404s**
2. Enter your custom redirect URL (or leave blank to use homepage)
3. Click **Save Changes**
4. Test by visiting a non-existent page on your site

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Can I redirect 404 errors to any URL? =

Yes! You can redirect to any valid URL - internal pages, external websites, or custom landing pages.

= Does this plugin use 301 redirects? =

Yes, the plugin uses SEO-friendly 301 (permanent) redirects, which is the recommended approach for handling missing pages.

= Will this fix 404 errors in Google Search Console? =

Yes! Implementing 301 redirects is one of the recommended solutions for resolving 404 errors in Google Search Console. The errors should disappear after Google recrawls your site.

= What happens if I don't enter a custom URL? =

If you leave the redirect URL field empty, all 404 errors will automatically redirect to your site's homepage.

= Does this affect site performance? =

No, the plugin is extremely lightweight and has minimal impact on site performance. It only activates when a 404 error occurs.

= Can I redirect different 404 pages to different URLs? =

This version redirects all 404 errors to a single URL. For advanced redirect rules, consider using a dedicated redirect management plugin.

= Will this work with my theme? =

Yes! This plugin works independently of your theme and is compatible with all WordPress themes.

= Can I use this with other redirect plugins? =

Yes, but be aware that if you have multiple redirect plugins, they may conflict. This plugin is designed to handle all 404 errors specifically.

== Screenshots ==

1. Simple settings page where you configure your custom redirect URL

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.1 =
Compatibility

= 1.0.0 =
First stable release. Install to start redirecting 404 errors automatically!

== Support ==

Need help? Have suggestions? 

* [Support Forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/auto-redirect-404s/)
* [Buy Me a Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/nityasaha) - Support development