WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post

April 18, 2024

WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post Plugin

Automatically Redirect any 404 page to a Similar Post based on the Title Post Type & Taxonomy using 301 or 302 Redirects!

Welcome to WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post!

This plugin automatically redirect 404 pages to similar posts based on Title, Post Types & Taxonomies. If nothing similar is found, visitors will be redirected to the homepage or a custom URL.

Features:

Automatically detect any 404.
Automatically search a similar post based on multiple factors:
- Title
- Potential Post Type
- Potential Taxonomy
If nothing similar is found, set your Fallback Behavior:
- Redirect to homepage
- Redirect to a custom URL
- Display the default 404 page
Choose the redirection HTTP header status:
- 301 headers
- 302 headers
Exclude Post Types from possible redirections.
Exclude Taxonomies from possible redirections.
Exclude Posts based on a custom post meta.
Exclude Terms based on a custom term meta.
Display the Debug Console instead of being redirected (Admin).
Preview possible redirection from the administration panel.

New Features:

Expose ‘WP-404-Auto-Redirect’ headers on 404 pages. (Admin).
Log redirections in the /wp-content/debug.log file.
Create your own search engines logic.
Create your own search engines groups & fire sequence.

New Engines & Groups:

WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post 1.0 introduces the concept of engines and groups which let you customize your own searching & matching logic. The plugin comes with 5 engines and 1 default group out of the box!

Default Group Engines:

Fix URL
Find and fix common URL mistakes.
Direct Match
Search for a Post that perfectly match keywords.
Search Post
Search for a similar Post.
Search Term
Search for a similar Term.
Search Post: Fallback
If a Post Type is set in the WP Query, redirect to the Post Type Archive.

But Also:

Easy to Install / Uninstall.
No useless data saved in Database.
Blazing Fast Performance.

Compatibility:

WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post is 100% compatible with all popular manual redirection plugins:

If you use one of them, but missed a manual redirection and a 404 is about to be displayed, WP 404 Auto Redirect to Similar Post will cover you.

Reviews

They talk about us! 🙂

Installation

WordPress Install

Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/wp-404-auto-redirect-similar-post directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress.
Go to Settings > WP 404 Auto Redirect to change your settings.
Everything is ready! Now try to trigger a 404 page!

Screenshots

Admin: Settings Page
Admin: Post Types
Admin: Taxonomies
Admin: Engines
Front: Debug Console

FAQ

Developers: Create a Custom Group

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

// Create a Group with only 3 Default Engines, and set a custom fire sequence add_action('wp404arsp/search/init', 'my_404_group'); function my_404_group($query){ wp404arsp_register_group(array( // Set Group Name 'name' => 'My Group', // Set Group Slug 'slug' => 'my_group', // Set Engines & the fire sequence 'engines' => array( 'default_post', // Add Default: Search Post Engine 'default_fix_url', // Add Default: Fix URL Engine 'default_direct', // Add Default: Default: Direct Match Engine ) )); } // Trigger the Custom Group: 'My Group' when the 404 Page URL starts with '/product/xxxx/' add_filter('wp404arsp/search/group', 'my_404_group_trigger', 10, 2); function my_404_group_trigger($group, $query){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context // Our condition: 404 Page URL starts with '/product/xxxx/' if(preg_match('#/product/(.+?)/?$#i', $query['request']['url'])){ $group = 'my_group'; // My Group Slug } // Always return Group return $group; }

Developers: Create a Custom Engine

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

// Create a Custom Engine add_action('wp404arsp/search/init', 'my_404_group_engine'); function my_404_group_engine($query){ wp404arsp_register_engine(array( // Set Engine Name 'name' => 'My Engine', // Set Engine Slug 'slug' => 'my_engine', // Set Engine Weight (Score = Keyword_Found * Weight) 'weight' => 100, // Set Primary Option (true|false). If Primary is true, then stop fire sequence if the score > 0. 'primary' => true )); // Use the engine in a new Group called 'My Group' wp404arsp_register_group(array( // Set Group Name 'name' => 'My Group', // Set Group Slug 'slug' => 'my_group', // Set Engines & the fire sequence 'engines' => array( 'my_engine', // Add My Engine ) )); } // Trigger the Custom Group: 'My Group' when the 404 Page URL starts with '/product/xxxx/' add_filter('wp404arsp/search/group', 'my_404_group_trigger', 10, 2); function my_404_group_trigger($group, $query){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context // Our condition: 404 Page URL starts with '/product/xxxx/' if(preg_match('#/product/(.+?)/?$#i', $query['request']['url'])){ $group = 'my_group'; // My Group Slug } // Always return Group return $group; } // Define a Custom Engine Logic add_filter('wp404arsp/search/engine/my_engine', 'my_404_engine_definition', 10, 3); function my_404_engine_definition($result, $query, $group){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context // You have access to $query & the current $group as a context for the engine logic // In this example 'My Engine' is the only engine in 'My Group' // 'My Group' is triggered when the 404 Page URL starts with '/product/xxxx/' // What we want: Search for a similar post inside a specific Post Type: 'project' // Grab all Keywords in the URL $keywords = explode('-', $query['request']['keywords']['all']); // Run Search $search = wp404arsp_search(array( 'keywords' => $keywords, // Add keywords 'mode' => 'post', // Search for Post 'post_type' => 'project', // inside Post Type: 'project' ), $query); // Found something! if($search['score'] > 0){ // Return result return array( 'score' => $search['score'], 'url' => get_permalink($search['post_id']), 'why' => "This engine is Awesome! We found a similar Product inside the Post Type <strong>project</strong>!" ); } // Nothing found :( else{ return "Mehh... No similar Product found inside the Post Type <strong>project</strong>."; } }

Developers: Manipulate existing Groups & Engines

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

add_action('wp404arsp/search/init', 'my_404_manipulate_groups_and_engines'); function my_404_manipulate_groups_and_engines($query){ // Move the default engine 'Direct Match' at the end of the 'Default Group' fire Sequence wp404arsp_reorder_group_engines(array( // Target Group Slug 'group' => 'default', // Target Engine Slug 'engine' => 'default_direct', // Set new Position in fire sequence. (In this example: 4 instead of 2). 'order' => 4 )); // Register new Engines & Fire Sequence for the existing Group 'My Group' wp404arsp_register_group_engines(array( // Target Group Slug 'group' => 'my_group', // New Engines & Fire Sequence 'engines' => array( 'my_engine', // Add Custom: My Engine 'default_post' // Add Default: Search Post Engine ) )); // Deregister an existing Engine. // The engine will be removed from any Groups which use it. The engine won't be registered anymore. // Target specific Engine Slug wp404arsp_deregister_engine('my_another_engine'); }

Developers: Always use a custom Group

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

// Always trigger the Custom Group 'My Group' instead of the Default Group add_filter('wp404arsp/search/group', 'my_404_group_trigger_forever', 10, 2); function my_404_group_trigger_forever($group, $query){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context // Always return 'My Group' return 'my_group'; }

Developers: Disable the plugin initialization at some conditions

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

// Do not load the plugin if the 404 URL starts with '/calendar/xxxx/' add_filter('wp404arsp/init', 'my_404_no_init', 10, 2); function my_404_no_init($init, $query){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context if(preg_match('#/calendar/(.+?)/?$#i', $query['request']['url'])){ $init = false; } return $init; }

Developers: Send an e-mail after every redirection

Advanced Usage: If you don’t know how to use filters & actions, please read the official WordPress Plugin API.

// Do something after a redirection add_action('wp404arsp/after_redirect', 'my_404_after_redirect'); function my_404_after_redirect($query){ // Developers: Print $query array for more request context // Send me an e-mail wp_mail( '[email protected]', 'WP 404 Auto Redirect: New redirection', 'Hi! New redirection from ' . $args['request']['url'] . ' to ' . $query['redirection']['url'], array('Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8') ); return; }

Changelog

1.0.5

Fix: Escaping URL in Debug Console
General: Bumped WordPress version to 6.5

1.0.4

Fix: Security issue
Fix: Fallback & Preview inputs sanitization
Improvement: Code formatting and comments
Improvement: Readme typo, code example formatting and RankMath compatibility
General: Bumped WordPress version to 6.4

1.0.3

Improvement: Enhanced search algorithm & matching

1.0.2

Fix: Request sanitization compatibility for nginx servers

1.0.1

Fix: Priority exception when it equals 0
Fix: Settings page link missing from plugins page

1.0

Added: Log redirections in the /wp-content/debug.log file.
Added: Expose ‘WP-404-Auto-Redirect’ headers on 404 pages. (Admin).
Added: Groups & Engines Feature.
Added: Groups & Engines Documentation & Examples (developers).
Added: Groups & Engines Admin panel.
Added: Index.php file redirecting to root domain (avoid plugin folder file listing).
Added: action('wp404arsp/search/init', $query)
Added: filter('wp404arsp/search/group', $group, $query)
Added: filter('wp404arsp/search/query', $query)
Added: filter('wp404arsp/search/engine/{engine}', $result, $query, $group)
Added: filter('wp404arsp/search/results', $query)
Added: filter('wp404arsp/search/redirect', $redirect, $query)
Improvement: Core reworked from scratch for better extensibility.
Removed: ‘Hooks’ tab

0.9.0.2

Fix: Plugin priority set to 999 by debault
Added: New Filter available ('wp404arsp/init', $init, $request_uri)
Added: Filters & Actions documentation
Added: Hooks tab documentation in Administration panel
Improvement: Plugin’s page description
Removed: Unnecessary filter ('wp404arsp/settings', $settings)

0.9.0.1

Fix: Paged request redirection “Uncaught Argument” error

0.9

Fix: 302 headers option would not save
Fix: Redirection loop in some specific cases – Direct match on private posts
Fix: Ajax URL for custom /wp-admin/ path (Preview Mode)
Added: New Filter available ('wp404arsp/settings', $settings)
Added: New Filter available ('wp404arsp/redirect', $args, $settings)
Added: New Action available ('wp404arsp/after_redirect', $args, $settings)
Added: New page header ‘WP-404-Auto-Redirect: true’ on redirection
Added: Exclude posts with the post meta: wp404arsp_no_redirect = 1 from possible redirections.
Added: Exclude terms with the term meta: wp404arsp_no_redirect = 1 from possible redirections.
Added: Exclude one or multiple taxonomies from possible redirections.
Added: Disable Taxonomy Redirection – Never redirect to terms archives.
Added: Plugin priority – Advanced users only (Default 999).
Improvement: Revamped code
Improvement: Administration panel with tabs
Improvement: Plugin is now translation ready

0.7.7

Fix: PHP header() error on upgrade
Fix: Exclude Post Type from Redirections UI & Logic
Fix: ‘Compatibility’ typo in description
Added: 999 priority on template_redirect action for compatibility
Improvement: Updated Plugin Screenshot

0.7.6

Fix: Typos & added better descriptions
Fix: minor PHP Notice
Added: “Custom Redirect URL” as Fallback Behavior (Feature Request)
Added: “Exclude Post Type” Multi-select to possible redirections (Feature Request)
Improvement: Better overall request validation

0.7.2

Added: Re-introduced Term search as fallback (if no similar post found)
Improvement: Direct match algorythm
Improvement: Sanitization of requests with an extension
Improvement: Post_type matching to only search “active” post_types

0.7.1

Fix: Bug while displaying legacy 404
Fix: PHP notice on preview mode
Improvement: Post Types handle
Improvement: Paged request handle

0.7

Added: Settings page
Added: Debug mode for administrators (settings page)
Added: Ability to disable “Redirect to Homepage” if nothing found (Feature request)
Added: Ability to choose between 301 or 302 HTTP Headers
Added: Ability preview URL Redirections
Improvement: Reworked code

0.4.0.2

Fix: Sanitization bug
Fix: Debug typo

0.4

Improvement: Revamped Code
Improvement: Processing speed
Improvement: Better Post Type / Category / Taxonomy matching

0.3.2

Added: Debug monitoring
Improvement: Better management of paged requests

0.3

Initial Release