A 301 redirect is an HTTP status code that indicates a permanent redirection from one URL to another. It tells search engines and browsers that the requested page has been moved permanently to a new URL, and any future requests for the old URL should be redirected to the new one.
Key Points About 301 Redirects:
- Search Engine Benefits:
- SEO Impact: A 301 redirect passes most of the ranking power (link equity) from the old page to the new one, helping maintain search engine rankings.
- Avoids 404 Errors: Prevents users from landing on broken pages by seamlessly redirecting them to the new content.
- Permanent Redirect:
- It’s used when a page is permanently moved, unlike a 302 redirect, which is for temporary redirections.
- Use Cases:
- Website restructuring: Redirecting old pages to new URLs after a site redesign.
- Domain change: When changing your website’s domain name, you can redirect the old domain to the new one.
- Canonicalization: Redirecting multiple versions of a URL (e.g.,
http://example.comandhttp://www.example.com) to a single preferred version.
How It Works:
When a user or a search engine requests the old URL, the server responds with a 301 status code and redirects the request to the new URL. Search engines like Google will eventually replace the old URL with the new one in their index.
Using a 301 redirect is important for preserving SEO value and ensuring a smooth user experience when pages are moved or URLs change.
