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MARKHOR GLOBAL INSIGHTS

301 vs 302 Redirects: What They Mean for SEO

Redirects tell browsers and search engines that a requested URL should be served from another location. The status code communicates whether the change is intended to be permanent or temporary.

What is a 301 redirect?

A 301 indicates a permanent move. It is commonly used when a page is replaced, a URL structure changes or several versions need to consolidate to one preferred destination.

What is a 302 redirect?

A 302 indicates a temporary move. It is useful when the original URL is expected to return, such as during a short-lived campaign or temporary maintenance flow.

Why redirect chains matter

A chain occurs when URL A redirects to B and B redirects again to C. Whenever possible, A should redirect directly to C. Fewer hops are easier for users, crawlers and debugging.

Avoid redirect loops

A loop happens when redirects eventually point back to an earlier URL. The browser cannot reach a final page, and the request fails.

Keep internal links updated

Even when a 301 works correctly, update your internal links so they point directly to the final destination instead of relying on redirects indefinitely.

Check redirects before and after a migration

URL changes during a redesign or CMS migration are a common source of SEO problems. Build a redirect map before launch and test the final paths afterward.

Use the free Redirect Checker to inspect redirect behavior.

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