CONTACT

What is a 301 redirect

A 301 redirect, or 301 redirection, is a practice used on the Web to permanently direct visitors from one Web page to another. When you implement a 301 redirect, you are telling search engines that the content of the original page has been permanently moved to the new destination specified. This means that search engines such as Google will change the indexing of search results to point to the new URL instead of the old one.

In practice, when a user tries to access the original page, they are automatically redirected to the new page. This is useful to avoid “page not found” (404) errors and to maintain rankings for the new page.

How to create a 301 redirect

Creating a 301 redirect depends on the web server you are using and your level of access and control over it:

  • Apache Server (.htaccess file): If you are using Apache as your web server, you can create a 301 redirect via the .htaccess file. Here is an example of code to redirect an old page to the new page:
  • Nginx Server: If you are using Nginx, you can configure the 301 redirect within the server configuration file. Here is an example of what the configuration might look like:
  • CMS and hosting platforms: If you’re using a CMS such as WordPress, Joomla or a hosting platform such as Shopify or Wix, they usually offer options for managing redirects, often through plugins or tools built into the control panel.
  • Server-side programming: If you have direct access to your website’s source code, you can manage redirects using scripting languages such as PHP, Python or Node.js. For example, in PHP you can use the header() function to perform a redirect:

Be sure to thoroughly test 301 redirects to make sure they work properly and do not cause accessibility or indexing problems in search engines.

How 301 redirects affect SEO.

301 redirects can have a major influence on search engine optimization ( SEO ), either positively or negatively, depending on how they are handled. Here are some ways in which they can affect SEO:

  1. Preservation of page authority: a 301 redirect transfers the authority of the source page to the new one. This means that all backlinks and search authority accumulated from the old page will now be associated with the new page, helping it maintain or improve its ranking in search results.
  2. Maintaining search engine rankings: by using a 301 redirect correctly, you can maintain your ranking in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) for the new page. If a page has been moved or renamed, the 301 redirect allows search engines to understand that the content has been moved and update indexing accordingly.
  3. Reduction in 404 errors: with 301 redirects to direct users from outdated URLs to new URLs, the risk of 404 errors (page not found) is reduced, which can positively affect user experience and overall website indexing.
  4. Possible loss of traffic and authority: if 301 redirects are not handled properly or if the new pages do not offer relevant or high-quality content, a loss of traffic and authority could occur. It is important to make sure that new pages are relevant and offer similar or better value than previous pages.
  5. Redirect chains: when redirecting users from page A to page B, which redirects to page C, you have a redirect chain. It is better to make it so that from page A you go directly to page C, avoiding going through B, which slows down the loading of page C and reduces its utorectivity ( and thus worsens its ranking).

In summary, if managed correctly, 301 redirects can be a powerful resource for managing structural changes to the website while maintaining SEO value. However, it is important to carefully plan and monitor the implementation of redirects to ensure a positive impact on the overall SEO of the site.

What is the difference between a 302 redirect and a 301 redirect?

Redirect 301 and redirect 302 are both methods of directing visitors from one web page to another, but they differ in how search engines interpret and treat such redirects:

  1. Redirect 301 (Permanent Redirect):
    • Indicates that the resource has been permanently moved to a new location.
    • All link values (link juice) and indexing of the old URL are transferred to the new URL.
    • It is used when redirection is intended to be maintained over the long term, such as when a page has been moved or renamed permanently.
    • Recommended for site structural updates, URLs and when you want to maintain SEO ranking.
  2. 302 Redirect (Temporary Redirect):
    • Indicates that the resource has been moved temporarily to a new location.
    • The link values and indexing of the old URL are not transferred to the new URL.
    • It is used when the redirection is expected to be temporary and the old URL will return to service in the future.
    • For example, it can be used to temporarily redirect traffic during site maintenance or when a page has been moved temporarily.

In summary, a 301 redirect is permanent and transfers authority and indexing to the new URL, while a 302 redirect is temporary and does not transfer SEO authority. It is important to carefully select the type of redirect based on the specific situation and desired goals for the website. Using the appropriate redirect can have a significant impact on SEO and the overall user experience.