What Are 301 & 302 Redirections? How To Do And What To Avoid?

As a website owner or digital marketer, you’ve probably heard the terms “301 redirects” and “302 redirects”. But do you know what they are and how they affect your website’s SEO?

This article will delve into the world of redirects and explore everything you need to know about 301 and 302 redirects, including when to use them, how to implement them, and the best practices to follow.

Let’s begin!

HTTP Response Status Codes

301 and 302 are HTTP Status codes. They are classified into the following:

  • 1xx (Informational): Indicate that the request has been received and is being processed. They are usually used for informational purposes and do not indicate a final response to the request.
  • 2xx (Success): Show that the request has been successfully received, understood, and accepted. The most common 2xx status code is 200 OK, which indicates that the request has been completed.
  • 3xx (Redirection): These status codes indicate that the client needs to take additional action to complete the request. The most common 3xx status codes are 301 and 302, redirecting the client to a different URL.
  • 4xx (Client Error): Indicate that there was an error with the request made by the client. The most common 4xx status code is 404 Not Found, which indicates that the requested resource could not be found on the server.
  • 5xx (Server Error): Show errors on the server while processing the request. The most common 5xx status code is 500 Internal Server Error, which indicates an issue with the server, and it was unable to complete the request.

What is a 301 Redirect?

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect from one URL to another. It tells search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new location. When a user or search engine attempts to access the old URL, they will automatically be redirected to the new URL.

When to use a 301 redirect

Some common scenarios where you might use a 301 redirect include:

  • When you’ve redesigned your website: If you’ve given your website a new look and some of the old URLs have changed, it’s essential to redirect traffic from the old URLs to the new ones using a 301 redirect. This ensures that visitors can find the content they’re looking for and that search engines are aware of the permanent change.
  • After you’ve combined two websites: When you’ve merged two websites, you’ll want to use a 301 redirect to redirect traffic from the old site to the new one. The redirection will streamline your content, let search engines know about the change, and update their indexes accordingly.
  • After you’ve changed your domain name: If you’ve decided to switch to a new domain name, a 301 redirect is the way to go. It will redirect traffic from the old domain to the new one, ensuring that visitors can still access your website and your search engine rankings aren’t adversely impacted by the change.
  • When you want to consolidate similar content: If you have multiple pages on your website that cover similar subjects, and have merged all the similar content into a single page, you can redirect the other pages to it using a 301 redirect. This helps improve your website’s SEO, as search engines only need to crawl and index one page instead of multiple duplicate pages.
  • When you want to fix broken links: A 301 redirect can redirect traffic from broken links to a relevant page on your website. The redirection will improve the user experience and can also prevent search engines from wasting their crawl budget.
  • When you want to redirect traffic from a non-www version of your website to the www version: If you want to ensure that all traffic to your website is directed to the www version, you can use a 301 redirect to redirect traffic from the non-www version to the www version. This can be helpful for SEO purposes, as it helps ensure that search engines only index one version of your website.
  • When you want to redirect traffic from an old blog post or article to a newer, updated version: When you’ve updated an old blog post or article and want to redirect traffic from the old version to the latest version, a 301 redirect is the way to go. It helps ensure that your visitors always see the most up-to-date version of your content.
  • When you want to redirect HTTP to HTTPS: If you want to force all traffic to your website to use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) instead of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), you can use a 301 redirect to redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS. This ensures that all traffic to your website is encrypted, which can improve the security and privacy of your website.

Ways to do a 301 redirection

You can implement a 301 redirection through the following methods:

1. .htaccess file

The .htaccess file (Hypertext Access file) is a configuration file used by the Apache web server software to control the behavior of your website. It’s typically used to control how URLs are displayed and to set up redirects, among other things.

To access your .htaccess file, you’ll need to use a file manager or FTP client to connect to your web server. Here’s a general process for accessing your .htaccess file:

  • Connect to your web server: Depending on your hosting provider, you may be able to use a file manager provided by your hosting provider to access your .htaccess file. Alternatively, you can use an FTP client such as FileZilla to connect to your web server. You’ll need your FTP login credentials to connect.
  • Navigate to the root directory of your website: The .htaccess file is typically located in the root directory of your website, which is the top-level directory that contains all of your website’s files and directories.
  • Look for the .htaccess file: Depending on your file manager or FTP client, you may need to enable the option to show hidden files to see the .htaccess file. The .htaccess file is usually hidden by default.
  • Edit the .htaccess file: Once you’ve found the .htaccess file, you can edit it using a text editor. It’s essential to be careful when editing the .htaccess file, as even a tiny mistake can cause your website to stop functioning.

If you’re using cPanel as your hosting control panel, you can follow these steps to access and edit your .htaccess file:

  • Log in to your cPanel account: Go to your website’s cPanel login page and enter your username and password to log in.
  • Navigate to the File Manager: Once you’re logged in, look for the File Manager icon in the Files section and click on it.
  • Select the root directory: The .htaccess file is typically located in the root directory of your website, which is the top-level directory that contains all of your website’s files and directories. In the File Manager, select the root directory from the list on the left-hand side.
  • Enable the option to show hidden files: In the File Manager, click on the Settings button in the top right corner and select the “Show Hidden Files” option. This will allow you to see the .htaccess file.
  • Look for the .htaccess file: The .htaccess file should now be visible in the list of files in the root directory.
  • Edit the .htaccess file: To edit the .htaccess file, click on it and select the Edit button. This will open the .htaccess file in a text editor, where you can make your desired changes.

It’s a good idea to back up your .htaccess file before making any changes in case you need to revert to the original version.

How to implement a 301 redirect with a .htaccess file

You can implement 301 redirects as follows:

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS

To redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS using a 301 redirect, you can use the following code in your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

The code will redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS using a 301 redirect. It’s important to note that this will only work if you have an SSL certificate installed on your website, as HTTPS requires an SSL certificate to function properly.

Redirecting www to non-www

To redirect traffic from the www version of your website to the non-www version using a 301 redirect, you can use the following code in your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.example\.com$ [NC]

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://example.com/$1 [L,R=301]

This will redirect all traffic from the www version of your website (www.yourwebsite.com) to the non-www version (yourwebsite.com) using a 301 redirect.

Redirecting one link to another

To redirect traffic from one specific link to another using a 301 redirect, you can use the following code in your .htaccess file:

Redirect 301 /old-URL http://www.example.com/new-url

Replace /old-URL with the old URL and the following address with the new address.

Redirecting to a new domain

To redirect traffic from one domain to another using a 301 redirect, you can use the following code in your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://newdomain.com/$1 [L,R=301]

Redirecting to a new website

To redirect traffic from one website to another using a 301 redirect, you can use this code in your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.newwebsite.com/$1 [L,R=301]

Replace the link with the address of your new website.

2. Using plugins or tools

Using a plugin or tool to set up a 301 redirect can be a convenient option, particularly for those not comfortable editing server configuration files or .htaccess files. 

Here’s a general process for setting up a 301 redirect using a plugin or tool:

Choose a plugin or tool

Many plugins and tools can help you set up redirects on your website. Some popular options include:

  • Redirection: It is a free WordPress plugin that allows you to set up redirects on your WordPress website easily.
  • Yoast SEO: This is one of the most popular WordPress SEO plugins, including a feature to set up redirects.
  • Pretty Links: This WordPress plugin allows you to set up redirects and track clicks on your links.
  • Rankmath: This is another popular WordPress plugin that includes a feature to set up redirects. It’s beneficial for SEO, as it allows you to specify the redirect status code (such as 301) and provides analytics on your redirects.

Install and activate the plugin or tool

Once you’ve chosen it, follow the instructions to install and activate it on your website. This process may vary depending on the plugin or device you’re using.

  • Set up the redirect: Follow the instructions for the plugin you’re using to set up the redirect. This process may vary depending on the plugin you’re using, but generally, you’ll need to specify the old URL and the new URL for the redirect.
  • Test the redirect: Once you’ve set up the redirect, it’s a good idea to test it to ensure it’s working correctly. To do this, visit the old URL in your web browser and make sure it redirects to the new URL as expected.

It’s important to note that the specific steps for setting up a redirect using a plugin or tool may vary depending on your plugin or tool. It’s a good idea to consult the documentation or support resources for the plugin you’re using if you need help.

3. Using PHP Language

Setting up a 301 redirect using a programming language such as PHP can be a more advanced option and may require some programming skills. 

Here’s a general process for setting up a 301 redirect using PHP:

  • Open your website’s PHP file: The PHP file you’ll need to edit will depend on your website’s structure and where you want to set up the redirect. For example, if you’re going to set up the redirect on the homepage of your website, you’ll need to edit the PHP file for the homepage.
  • Add the PHP code for the redirect: To set up a 301 redirect using PHP, you can use the following code:

<?php

header(“HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently”);

header(“Location: http://www.new-url.com”);

exit();

?>

Replace the URL above with the actual link you want to redirect to.

  • Save the PHP file: Once you’ve added the PHP code for the redirect, save the PHP file.
  • Test the redirect: It’s a good idea to test the redirect to ensure it’s working correctly. To do this, visit the page in your web browser and make sure it redirects to the new URL as expected.

The specific steps for setting up a redirect using PHP or another programming language may vary depending on your website’s structure and the programming language you’re using. It’s a good idea to consult with a web developer or refer to online documentation or tutorials if you need help.

4. DNS configuration

To redirect traffic from one domain to another using DNS configuration, you’ll need to make some changes to the DNS settings for the old domain.

Let’s say you want to redirect traffic from the old domain “olddomain.com” to the new domain “newdomain.com.” Here’s how you would set up the redirect using DNS configuration:

  • Purchase the new domain: You’ll need to purchase it through a domain registrar.
  • Change the DNS settings for the old domain: Login to the account for your domain registrar or hosting provider and navigate to the DNS settings for the old domain “olddomain.com.”
  • Add a redirect record: In the DNS settings, add a redirect record that points to the new domain “newdomain.com.” The specific steps for adding a redirect record will vary depending on your domain registrar or hosting provider, but generally, add www, @, and * records. They should be both of the type “URL Redirect.” Add the domain to redirect to in the following format: https://www.newdomain.com/?redir_mode=301
  • Test the redirect: Once you’ve added the redirect record, visit your web browser’s old domain, “olddomain.com,” to test the redirect. If everything is set up correctly, the old domain should redirect to the new domain, “newdomain.com.”

What is a 302 Redirect?

A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect from one URL to another. It tells search engines that a page has temporarily moved to a new location but will eventually return to its original site.

When to use a 302 redirect

Here are some common scenarios where it might be appropriate to use a 302 redirect:

  • Testing a new version of a website: If you’re working on a new version of your website and want to try it before making it live, you can use a 302 redirect to redirect traffic from the old version to the new version. Redirection allows you to test the latest version without affecting the ranking of the old version in search results.
  • Maintenance or updates: When your website is down for maintenance or updates, you can use a 302 redirect to redirect traffic to a temporary page or another website. Your visitors will know that your website is temporarily unavailable, and the redirection will provide them with an alternative destination.
  • A/B testing: If you want to test two different versions of a webpage to see which performs better, you can use a 302 redirect to split traffic between the two versions. You can collect data on each version’s performance and decide which version to keep.
  • Changing the URL of a page temporarily: If you need to change the URL of a page, you can use a 302 redirect to redirect traffic from the old URL to the new URL. You will maintain the ranking of the old URL in search results while directing visitors to the unique URL.

How to do a 302 redirection

Use the following methods to set up a 302 redirection:

1. .htaccess file

If your website runs on an Apache web server, you can use a .htaccess file to set up a 302 redirect. 

The .htaccess file is a configuration file that allows you to specify directives for the Apache web server. 

To set up a 302 redirect using the .htaccess file, you’ll need to add a redirect directive to the file. 

Here’s an example of how to do this:

Redirect 302 /old-url http://www.new-url.com

2. Plugin or Add-ons

Plugins can benefit those not comfortable editing server configuration files or .htaccess files. To set up a 302 redirect using a plugin or tool, you’ll need to install and activate the plugin on your website. Then, you’ll need to follow the instructions the plugin or tool provides to set up the redirect. 

3. PHP

To set up a 302 redirect using PHP, you’ll need to edit the PHP file for the web page that you want to redirect and add the following code:

<?php

header(“HTTP/1.1 302 Found”);

header(“Location: http://www.new-url.com”);

exit();

?>

4. Server-side scripting language

You can use a server-side scripting language such as ASP.NET or Ruby on Rails to set up a 302 redirect on your website. You’ll need to edit the relevant script file and add the appropriate code for the redirect. The specific steps and code will depend on your scripting language.

5. DNS configuration

It’s possible to set up a 302 redirect using DNS configuration. This is typically used when redirecting traffic from one domain to another. To set up a 302 redirect using DNS configuration, you’ll need to purchase the new domain and change the DNS settings for the old domain. You’ll need to add a 302 redirect record in the DNS settings that point to the new domain.

301 vs. 302 redirection

301 and 302 redirects are HTTP response status codes used to indicate that a web page has moved to a different location. 

Here are the main differences between 301 and 302 redirects:

1. Permanent vs. temporary

A 301 redirect indicates that the webpage has been moved to a new location permanently. A 302 redirect means the webpage has been temporarily moved to a new location.

2. Use cases

As a general rule, 301 redirects are best for scenarios where the move is permanent, while 302 redirects are best for scenarios where the change is temporary. 

For example, you might use a 301 redirect when you want to redirect traffic from an old domain to a new domain, while you might use a 302 redirect when you want to redirect traffic from one URL to another while you’re testing a new version of a webpage.

3. HTTP method

The HTTP method used for the redirect may also differ between 301 and 302. With a 301 redirect, the HTTP method used for the redirect is typically “GET,” while with a 302 redirect, the HTTP method may be either “GET” or “POST.”

4. Caching

The way that web browsers and other intermediaries cache redirects may also differ between 301 and 302 redirects. 

For example, 301 redirects may be cached more aggressively than 302 redirects, which can affect the performance of the redirects.

Despite these differences, 301 and 302 redirects serve the same basic purpose: redirect traffic from one webpage to another. 

They both use HTTP response status codes to indicate that a web page has moved and allow you to redirect traffic from an old URL to a new URL. 

301 and 302 redirects and SEO

Regarding search engine optimization (SEO), 301 redirects are generally considered the most effective type of redirect. Here’s why:

  • Permanent redirects: A 301 redirect indicates to search engines that a web page has been permanently moved to a new location. This means that search engines will update their indexes to reflect the new path of the webpage and transfer any ranking and traffic from the old web page to the new one.
  • New page indexation: Because search engines treat 301 redirects as permanent moves, they are generally more effective at preserving the ranking and traffic of the old webpage in search results. This is especially important if the old website has a high ranking or generates significant traffic.
  • Consolidating similar content: Another use advantage of 301 redirects is consolidating similar content on your website. For example, if you have two web pages that cover the same topic, you can use a 301 redirect to redirect traffic from the less helpful web page to the more useful one. This can help improve your website’s overall quality and relevance for search engines and users.

You should avoid 302 redirects because of the following reasons:

  • Google will not index the new page: A 302 redirect indicates to search engines that a web page has been temporarily moved to a new location. This means that search engines may or may not update their indexes to reflect the new webpage, and they may or may not transfer any ranking and traffic from the old post to the new one.
  • Risk of lost ranking and traffic: Because search engines may not treat 302 redirects as permanent moves, there is a risk of traffic loss. These pages are never indexed; if they are worse than the previous version, you will potentially lose ranking and traffic. This is especially true if the old webpage generates significant traffic.
  • Caching issues: 302 redirects may also be more prone to caching issues than 301 redirects. Some web browsers and other intermediaries may cache 302 redirects more aggressively than 301 redirects, which can affect the performance of the redirects.
  • Compatibility issues: In some cases, 302 redirects may not be compatible with specific tools or platforms. For example, some content management systems (CMS) may not support 302 redirects or handle them in the same way they handle 301 redirects. This can create problems when trying to set up or manage redirects on your website.

How Google treats 301 and 302 redirects

When it comes to how Google treats 301 and 302 redirects, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

301 redirects on Google

Google treats 301 redirects as permanent moves, which means that it will typically update its index to reflect the new location of the webpage and transfer any ranking and traffic from the old page to the new one. This is the recommended type of redirect for SEO, as it helps preserve the search engine rank and traffic of the old webpage in search results.

302 redirects on Google

Depending on the specific circumstances, Google may treat 302 redirects as either temporary or permanent moves. 

For example, if a 302 redirect is used to temporarily redirect traffic while a new version of a webpage is being tested, Google will treat it as a temporary move and not update its index or transfer ranking and traffic from the old page to the new one. 

If the user-declared and Google-declared conical match, Google will treat it as a permanent move, update its index, and transfer ranking and traffic accordingly.

Do I need to revert accidental 302 redirects to 301?

It is generally a good idea to change unintended 302 redirects to 301 redirects if you want to preserve the ranking and traffic of the old webpage in search results. This is because 301 redirects are treated as permanent moves by search engines, while 302 redirects may be treated as either temporary or permanent changes, depending on the specific circumstances.

However, if Google has already figured out that the move is intended to be permanent, it may have already updated its index and transferred any ranking and traffic from the old webpage to the new one. 

In this case, there may be no need to change the 302 redirect to a 301 redirect, as the new page is in search results. You can use site auditing tools to identify if Google has put a permanent move to 302 redirects.

Best Practices for Using Redirects

Here is what to avoid and what to do when using 301 or 302 redirects:

  • Use 301 redirects for permanent moves: Whenever possible, use 301 redirects to move web pages to a new location permanently.
  • Avoid redirect chains and loops: A redirect chain occurs when multiple redirects are used in sequence, while a redirect loop occurs when a redirect points back to itself. Both can cause problems for search engines and users, so avoiding them is essential.
  • Don’t change the destination URL too frequently: Avoid changing the destination URL of a redirect too frequently, as this can cause confusion for search engines and users and may affect the performance of the redirect in search results.

Conclusion

Redirects are an essential tool for managing the content and structure of your website. It is crucial to know when to use 301 and 302 redirects and how to implement them correctly. It will help you when it comes to maintaining the ranking and traffic of your web pages in search results and providing a seamless user experience.