What is 301 Redirect?
A 301 status code is a permanent redirect that tells search engines a page has moved to a new URL, transferring ranking signals and link equity value during site migrations.
Ecommerce SEO Glossary > Technical SEO > 301 Redirect
What You Need to Know about 301 Redirect
Preserves Search Rankings
301 redirects pass 90-95% of original page authority to the new URL, maintaining search visibility during site restructuring.
Prevents Duplicate Content
A 301 redirect eliminates competition between old and new URLs by consolidating ranking signals into a single canonical version.
Essential for Site Migrations
301 redirects are critical for maintaining organic traffic when moving domains, changing URL structures, or consolidating pages.
Requires Proper Implementation
301 redirects must be configured at server level through .htaccess, server configs, or CDN rules to ensure search engines recognize the redirect.
Common Implementation Mistakes
Redirect chains, temporary redirects (302s), and missing redirects cause ranking losses and indexing issues.
Monitoring Is Critical
Track redirect performance, crawl errors, and ranking changes to ensure proper implementation and maintained SEO value.
Frequently Asked Questions about 301 Redirect
1. What’s the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?
301s are permanent and pass link equity; 302s are temporary and don’t transfer ranking signals effectively.
2. How long should I keep 301 redirects active?
Maintain redirects for at least one year, longer for high-traffic pages, to ensure complete search engine recognition.
3. Do 301 redirects hurt page speed?
Properly implemented 301s add minimal latency, but redirect chains significantly slow load times and hurt rankings.
4. Can I redirect an entire domain with 301s?
Yes, domain-wide 301 redirects preserve rankings when moving sites, but require careful URL mapping and testing.
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