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Why you should not redirect deleted pages to home
Sending deleted URLs to the homepage looks tidy, but it hides the true state of the URL.
The result is weak signals for crawlers and a confusing experience for users who expected a specific page.
What users see first
Users lose context instantly. The homepage rarely answers the question that led them to the deleted page.
What crawlers infer
Redirecting everything to home creates mixed signals. The crawler cannot tell whether the content moved, was deleted, or still exists.
What to do instead
Redirect only when there is a real replacement. Otherwise return a clear 404 or 410 and keep the signal honest.
What to do first
Pick one deleted URL group. If there is no true replacement, stop redirecting to home and return 404 or 410.