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.
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.
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.
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.
Do 301 redirects hurt page speed?
Properly implemented 301s add minimal latency, but redirect chains significantly slow load times and hurt rankings.
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.
302 Redirect
A temporary redirect indicating a page has moved temporarily. Unlike 301 redirects, search engines may continue indexing the original URL and may not transfer full link equity to the destination.
Redirect
A server instruction that automatically sends users and search engines from one URL to another. Proper redirect implementation preserves link equity, prevents broken experiences, and is essential during site migrations and URL changes.
Link Equity
The ranking value or authority passed from one page to another through hyperlinks. Link equity flows through dofollow links and is influenced by the linking page's authority, relevance, and the number of outgoing links.
Related Glossary Terms
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