Evaluating and removing, consolidating, or redirecting content that no longer serves a useful purpose.
Content pruning is the evaluation of existing pages to decide which should be kept, improved, consolidated or retired. The term often emphasizes removal, but a sound review begins with the content’s purpose and evidence, not a deletion target.
Low search traffic alone does not prove a page is worthless. A resource may support existing customers, answer a narrow question, attract valuable referrals or be needed only at certain times. Before removing it, review its accuracy, audience, incoming links and relationship to current products or services.
When two pages genuinely serve the same need, consolidation may make sense. When a page is outdated but still useful, an update may be better. A redirect should lead to a relevant replacement, not an unrelated destination chosen simply to eliminate a missing-page report. Keep the consequences for readers in view throughout the decision.
Takeaway: Review content before retiring it. Preserve material that still serves customers, and choose a specific disposition for each page rather than deleting every URL below a traffic threshold.
Example
A manufacturer’s older installation guide receives few search visits, but owners of the discontinued product still need it. Removing the guide could create a support problem. By contrast, two overlapping current setup guides might be combined after checking their unique instructions and preserving relevant incoming links.
What to check
Save a backup and record the reason for any proposed removal or consolidation. Check for useful links, obligations and replacement content before implementation. Google advises against quick-fix deletion; substantive improvement should be considered before treating removal as the solution.
For more detail, see Google Search core updates.