Should I Disable This Blog?
Advice that works great for Pages, too!
Short, most probable answer:
No, you most likely should not disable the entry.
But let’s take a moment to dig deeper.
Disabling outdated content may seem like a simple cleanup task, but more often than not, it does more harm than good. For destination organizations focused on long-term growth, visibility, and discoverability, it’s important to treat your blog like the strategic asset it is.
Let’s walk through a few key considerations to guide your decision.
Is the blog/page outdated?
If the topic is seasonal or recurring
(Think annual events, seasonal guides, or signature festivals.)
Keep the post/page live. Update the content to reflect the upcoming version of the event or add a note like: “Stay tuned for more information on this year’s event, coming soon!”
Search engines reward consistency and your community and visitors appreciate knowing what to expect.
Timing Tip: Search demand for seasonal content usually peaks around the time of the event. For example, holiday market searches increase in December. Plan to update content earlier so it's refreshed and indexed before users start searching (ideally in the fall for this example). No one is looking for Easter brunch options in July, but you’ll want it ready that content ready for early March.
If the topic is one-time only
If it’s a unique event or outdated announcement with no ongoing relevance, ask:
Does this blog/page have value as a story, example, or archive piece?
Is it being linked to or cited elsewhere?
- If yes: Keep it live and annotate it clearly with a note that the content refers to a past event.
- If no: Close and redirect the blog URL to a relevant evergreen or related page, or consider deindexing it (removing it from search engines while keeping the page available on your site).
Is the blog/page still serving a purpose?
If the content supports your brand voice, educates visitors, or highlights destination-defining experiences — even in a historical context — it’s worth keeping.
Even older posts can contribute to your website’s authority and organic traffic. If it’s been indexed, linked, or still receives engagement, don’t disable it just because the date feels stale.
What Happens When You Disable a Blog Post/Page?
Taking a blog (or page) offline has several unintended consequences:
- The original URL is removed from your site, returning a 404 status for any user (or any search engine) trying to access that content
- Any backlinks pointing to the post (and associated traffic) are lost
- You lose any link equity or search performance built up over time
- If you bring it back later, Google treats it as a brand-new URL
In short: you’re starting from zero again, with no SEO momentum to carry forward.
Better Alternatives to Disabling Content
Disabling should be the exception, not the norm. Instead, before moving an entry to disabled, consider the following:
Refresh
Update key details, reframe the post for the current year, and adjust meta information to match trending search terms.
Annotate
Add a short note clarifying the date or seasonality of the blog. This sets clear expectations for users while maintaining search value.
Reuse
Repurpose evergreen content (e.g., itineraries, top 10 lists, how-tos) in new formats or roundups.
Add Placeholder Messaging
If updates aren’t ready yet, simply hide the outdated details within the post while keeping the blog live. Use placeholder language such as: “Stay tuned for more information on seasonal events, coming soon!”
This helps retain the URL, keep search rankings intact, and avoid frustrating dead ends.
When Is It Okay to Disable a Blog/Page?
While you should try to preserve or repurpose content in most cases, there are a few valid reasons to fully remove an entry:
- It contains outdated or incorrect information that cannot be updated or corrected.
- The content no longer aligns with your destination’s brand or mission and doesn’t provide historical or storytelling value.
- There is no ongoing search demand or engagement, and no external sites are linking to the content.
- It duplicates or conflicts with more current content already published elsewhere on your site.
If you decide to remove a blog or page: Always implement a 301 redirect.
Redirect the old URL to the most relevant live page — such as an updated version of the post, a related seasonal guide, or your main blog landing page. This preserves your SEO value, maintains a positive user experience, and ensures search engines understand the change.
Final Thoughts
Tempest believes content should work for you — not against you. Removing blog posts may feel like a tidy solution, but it often disrupts user experience, damages SEO performance, and disconnects the destination’s story from searchers actively planning their next trip.
Whether you’re using Craft™ CMS or another platform, you can almost always keep your content visible, searchable, and helpful, even as you update it behind the scenes.
Still not sure what to do with an old blog? Let’s take a look together. Our Growth Marketing team can help you prioritize updates, build a seasonal content strategy, and ensure your content drives value year-round.
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