Technical SEO
301 redirect
Also called Permanent redirect
A 301 redirect permanently sends visitors and search engines from one URL to another, and passes most of the old page's ranking signals to the new one.
When to use a 301
- A page moves to a new URL.
- You merge two pages that covered the same topic.
- You move to a new domain or switch to HTTPS or www.
Mistakes to avoid
- Redirect chains (A to B to C): point straight to the final URL.
- Redirecting everything to the homepage instead of the closest page.
- Forgetting to update internal links to the new URL.
Frequently asked questions
Use 301 (or 308) for permanent moves. Use 302 (or 307) only when the original URL will come back.
Keep them for at least a year, and ideally permanently for pages with backlinks.