Wordpress 4xx errors from comment re-direct

[TurnerPR]

About a month ago, we had a massive jump in 4XX errors. It seems the majority are being caused by the comment tool on wordpress, which is generating a link that looks like this "http://www.turnerpr.com/blog/wp-login.php?redirect_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turnerpr.com%2Fblog%2F2013%2F09%2Fturners-crew-royal-treatment-well-sort-of%2Fphoto-2-2%2F"

On every single post. We're using Akismet and haven't had issues in the past....and I can't figure out the fix. I've tried turning it off and back on; I'm reluctant to completely switch commenting systems because we'd lose so much history.

Anyone seen this particular re-direct love happen before?

Angela

[evolvingSEO]

Hi Angela

First off - where are you seeing the jump in 404's - Moz Tools? Google Webmaster Tools? Screaming Frog SEO Spider? Somewhere else?

When I visit that link which points here it does not 404, it returns a 200 - which leads me to think the tool you are getting this from is wrong.

You can also use a "Header Checker" like this: http://urivalet.com/?http://www.turnerpr.com/blog/wp-login.php?redirect_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turnerpr.com%2Fblog%2F2013%2F10%2Fdays-markus-freitag%2F#Report - and you can see it also returns a 200.

Now, let's assume though the page is returning a 404 and you want to fix it. The link is due to your blog setup, and the site is requesting all users log in before they comment. For example if you go all the way to the bottom on this post: http://www.turnerpr.com/blog/2013/10/days-markus-freitag/ - under Post a Reply, you will see the link.

You can shut off this feature (which is normal to do) by going to Settings->Discussion-> and uncheck "users must be registered and logged in to comment".

Hope that helps!

-Dan

[bcmedia]

Hi Angela,

I agree with Dan's response, but I'd also like to add that we've an better experience in managing comments by disabling Wordpress comments and installing Disqus to handle comments.

Previously we were running into issues where our sites were bombarded with spam comments, and it was hit or miss with Akismet.  That problem has been virtually eliminated.

As far as losing comments, you won't, as you install the plugin and then export your comments to Disqus with the click of a button on the plugin settings page.  You can then sync comments back and forth between Wordpress and Disqus as necessary if you decide to from one to the other.

Mike

[TurnerPR]

Thank you both! It was Moz that was throwing up the error reports, and it took about three minutes to switch to Disqus, import the comments, and disable the worpress login.

If nothing else, it cleans up the Moz CSV report so we can spend time on the real 404 issues. You seriously saved me hours of pain sorting answers on the wordpress forums - thanks!

Angela