Since one month, I've got an increased "soft 404" reported by google webmaster tools but work well for users.

I made some fix but can't figure out how to solve it.

Configuration (maybe useless):

• I have a website built with rails 3.1
• Authentication is handled by the gem Devise

Problem:

• On this page http://en.bemyboat.com/yacht-charter/9965-sailboat-beneteau-oceanis-43
• when you click on "Ask a Boat request" (a simple form, in GET to : http://en.bemyboat.com/boat_requests/new/9965)
• you are redirected with the http status 302 to sign in,
• and then sent back to the new page if successfully sign in.

Google tells me that the link on "ask a boat request" returns a soft 404.

I can't make this form in "POST" (which will solve the problem) because we need to automatically redirect user to the good page after sign in. (the Gem Devise memorize the "get" link)

To simplify, the question is: how to protect a private page with authentication, reached with a simple "get" and not to be penalized by google with "soft 404".

Thank you.

PS : this website suffer a lot about english translation... please don't care.