301 Redirect

What is a 301 Redirect?

A 301 Redirect is a status code that tells search engines and users that the page has been moved permanently, and ensures that it is sent to the correct page. Since this is permanent, when you use a 301 Redirectthat the content of the page has been moved forever. Users are redirected to a new page that has replaced the old one.

The Redirect typically helps to URL of the page when it appears in search engine results. If you have invested in building a website or opening an online store, pay special attention to the impact this has on your website.

You can think of a 301 redirect as a change of address form that you would have to fill out in the mail if you moved. Just as your email is redirected from your old address to your new address, your web traffic is sent from your old URL to the new URL.

Fortunately, you won't lose all your hard work to get your old website listed in search engine results pages (SERPs). All your existing SEO values and link equity for the old URL will be transferred to your new URL.

When should you use a 301 redirect?

If a webmaster accidentally creates a 302-redirect when it should have used a 301 redirect, this can cause problems on the website. Since search engines react differently to each redirect, you need to make sure you have the right one set up. Otherwise, the search engine may determine that it's a mistake and stop serving the Traffic to the wrong side.

By knowing the differences between 301 and 302 redirects, you can prevent this from happening and help improve your site's performance when it comes to Search engine optimization as well as make sure you don't lose any of the SEO you built up on the previous page.

There are several cases where it is a better option to use a 301 Redirect which is a permanent redirect.

When you should use 301 redirects:

• If you want to transfer a domain
• When links to obsolete URLs need to be sent to a new page. For example: When you merge two websites
• You use several different URLs to access your website. Then you should select a single URL as the preferred destination and use your 301 redirects to Traffic to your new website
• you have permanently changed your website domain name and want it to transition as seamlessly as possible from old website
• You have launched your website in a new CMS and you have URL structure has changed
• You convert your website from a http to a https

When a 301 Redirect is set up, your new page will show up in search engine results with a 301 redirect.

The 301 code tells search engines that your site has been moved permanently, and the entire Traffic should be redirected from your old content to the new one. The search engines can then align the search engine ranking and value signals to the new URL because they will understand this location as the new permanent home.

Although this is the better choice in most scenarios, there are certain times when it would be a better option to use a 302 redirect (302 Redirect) to use.