Hiding Out of Stock Products for Users

[ShaunPhilips]

Hello

I have a website having products out of stock. Right now they are not listed on the website but working with 200 status code and they are indexed in Google as well.

I need to understand if they affect my website? is it negative for SEO? what would be the best way to handle out of stock products?

what if they are out of stock for a long time and discontinue for future? how search engine treat those products? are they consider as hidden links as they are not accessible from website as google says every page should link from atleast one static page.

Please advise

[Alick300]

Hi Shaun,

All cases mentioned in below article

http://searchengineland.com/googles-matt-cutts-seo-advice-unavailable-e-commerce-products-186882

Hope this helps.

Thanks