How To Handle Content Expiration In A CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
To handle content expiration in a content management system, add expiration date fields to your content schemas, set up automated checks that flag or unpublish content when those dates pass, configure notifications to alert content owners before expiration, and establish a review process for what happens next — update, archive, or delete. Without this system, outdated promotions, expired offers, and stale regulatory content stay live indefinitely.
Key Takeaways
- Add an `expiresAt` datetime field to any content type that has a natural end date
- Automate unpublishing via scheduled jobs or webhook-triggered functions — don't rely on manual processes
- Notify content owners 7–14 days before expiration so they can review and decide
- Define post-expiration handling per content type: redirect, archive page, or 410 Gone response
- Test your expiration logic in staging before deploying — silent failures are common