Understanding 301 and 302 Redirects: A Guide for SEO Professionals

HTTP status codes 301 and 302 are both used for URL redirection but they serve different purposes and have different implications for search engines and browsers. In this article, we will discuss the definitions, SEO implications, and provide clear examples for each type of redirect.

301 Moved Permanently

Definition

A 301 status code indicates that a resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. This means that the old URL should no longer be used, and any links to it should be updated to point to the new URL.

SEO Implication

Search engines transfer the ranking power from the old URL to the new URL, making it the preferred destination for both users and bots. This can significantly improve your SEO efforts by consolidating link equity and relevance.

Example

Scenario

A website is changing its domain from to .

Redirect

When a user accesses the old URL (), the server responds with a 301 status code and the new URL.

Response

HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently Location:

302 Found or Moved Temporarily

Definition

A 302 status code indicates that a resource is temporarily located at a different URL. The original URL should still be used for future requests.

SEO Implication

Search engines do not transfer the ranking power from the old URL to the new URL as this redirection is considered temporary. If the content eventually returns to the original URL, the search engines may not update their index based on the temporary redirect.

Example

Scenario

A website is undergoing maintenance and temporarily redirects users to a maintenance page.

Redirect

When a user accesses the old URL (), they are redirected to the maintenance page ().

Response

HTTP/1.1 302 Found Location:

Summary

301: Permanent redirection. Use this when the content has moved permanently.

302: Temporary redirection. Use this when the content is temporarily moved and will return to the original URL.

Understanding the difference between these two codes is crucial for webmasters and SEO professionals to effectively manage site traffic and maintain search engine rankings.

Additional Considerations

HTTP has several status codes defined under the 3xx class, all of which indicate that further action needs to be taken by the user agent. One key point to remember is that these redirects, particularly 301 and 302, are treated differently by search engines and browsers.

When you use a 301 redirect, you are telling both crawlers and browsers that the old URL is no longer used and the new URL is the preferred destination. As a result, the search engines will update their index with the new URL, reflecting the change in content and URL structure.

On the other hand, a 302 redirect signals that the content is temporarily moved, and adjustments will be made to the index once the original URL is restored. Therefore, it's crucial to use 301 redirects for permanent changes and 302 redirects for temporary changes.

Conclusion

Proper use of 301 and 302 redirects can significantly impact your SEO efforts. By understanding the differences and implications of these redirects, you can optimize your website traffic and maintain a strong search engine ranking. Always ensure that you are using the appropriate type of redirect for your situation to avoid potential issues with browser and search engine behavior.