Verifying Sitemap to Google problem

Any ideas on how to fix this?

We've detected that your 404 (file not found) error page returns a status of 200 (OK) in the header.
This configuration presents a security risk for site verification and therefore, we can't verify your site. If your web server is configured to return a status of 200 in the header of 404 pages, and we enabled you to verify your site with this configuration, others would be able to take advantage of this and verify your site as well. This would allow others to see your site statistics. To ensure that no one can take advantage of this configuration to view statistics to sites they don't own, we only verify sites that return a status of 404 in the header of 404 pages.

Please modify your web server configuration to return a status of 404 in the header of 404 pages. Note that we do a HEAD request (and not a GET request) when we check for this. Once your web server is configured correctly, try to verify the site again. If your web server is configured this way and you receive this error, click Check Status again and we'll recheck your configuration.

Change your vbSEO settings to return a 404 error instead of redirecting to your forums home page. Change it back once you've verified.

Should I disable when submitting to yahoo as well?

Yahoo doesnt mind to be honest.

aha, I just asked this somewhere else on this board, then found this. Thanks for the info!

For some reason this doesn't help me at all. I turn it off but Google still gives me the 404 error.

I had to disable vBSEO completely, then it worked.

I haven't been able to verify. I'm getting the same error. In vbSEO, I have it set to 404 Send HTTP code. Could it be the "main" site that is sending the wrong info? I'm at a loss?

Any suggestions?

What error are you getting?

The same as Glorify. Cmeinck, what is your 404 HTTP code?

I've got the verification file at the ROOT of my entire site - not my forum folder. The error I'm getting is:
We've detected that your 404 (file not found) error page returns a status of 200 (OK) in the header.

Hello cmeinck,

in your vBSEO Panel you can find the vBSEO Options.
Please change ""File Not Found" requests handling?" to Send 404 HTTP code

Than you can verify your website.

Once the website is verified change it back to your previous setting.

in your vBSEO Panel you can find the vBSEO Options.
Please change ""File Not Found" requests handling?" to Send 404 HTTP code

Than you can verify your website.

I confirmed this is already set to Send 404 HTTP code. Is it my main site (mambo based) that Google is looking at and generating an issue with validation?

cmeinck,

if you have some SEF urls mod for mambo installed, then it may be the problem in this case. You can do the following though:
- save a copy of your root .htaccess file
- remove root .htaccess from your site
- complete google verification process
- upload .htaccess file back again


This should be done quickly because mambo may work incorrectly after the 2nd step!

if you have some SEF urls mod for mambo installed, then it may be the problem in this case. You can do the following though:
- save a copy of your root .htaccess file
- remove root .htaccess from your site
- complete google verification process
- upload .htaccess file back again

[IMG]images/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]
This should be done quickly because mambo may work incorrectly after the 2nd step!

I'm afraid to screw something up. Is it necessary to verify my sitemap? Will Google still use it? Is the verification process just so I can see statistics?

Sorry for all the questions.
Chris