It’s amazing how two different types of redirects with almost similar results can change the SEO results significantly. These redirects can be utilized to direct the website users, along with the search engines, to distinct URLs from what was originally intended.
There are significant differences between the 301 and 302 redirects, which you need to know before opting for the right one for your website. In case you choose the wrong redirect option, your SEO practices and search rankings might be negatively impacted. The results of it can even last for a few weeks to even a year.
So, to avoid such a situation and to get the best results for your website’s SEO, you need to know everything about these redirects and when to utilize them.
In this insightful blog post, you’ll get to learn about the 301 vs 302 redirect. Moreover, you’ll know which one is better for SEO. So, let’s dive right in!
What is a 301 redirect?
301 redirect is a type of permanent redirect, which is basically an HTTP status code that signifies that a web page has moved permanently. These codes are most commonly utilized to ensure that there’s better coherence.
When a user types in your website address, the 301 redirect will change the address request and redirect them to another website or webpage.
The 301 redirects will also ensure that your browser caches the new website’s address. Because of this, your web address will be able to resolve swiftly. However, you need to understand that the earlier changes will take a lot longer than a 302 redirect.
It’s a common belief that the 301 redirects can pass at least 95% and at most 99% of your website’s authority, which you had at the original URL.
When can you utilize 301 redirects?
301 redirects need to be utilized in different types of cases when you would want to change your website’s URL on a permanent basis.
You can use 301 redirects when you have to:-
- Fix the non-www or www duplicate content issues.
- Permanently change your website’s URL structure.
- Merge different pages at a new web address.
- Switch your website from the earlier version of HTTP to the HTTPS one.
- Permanently migrate your website’s content to a new domain.
- Permanently change your website’s URL
What is a 302 redirect?
302 redirect is a temporary one that will take the visitors to the new URL along with signalling a temporary move. The main purpose of this redirect is to send the changes to a forwarding address a lot more quickly. Due to this, the traffic will be moved to a new location swiftly.
In case you aren’t sure about which redirect you should utilize, opting for a 302 redirect will prove to be the right option. The best part about this redirect is that it can be reversed if you have any change in plans and want to shift to your original address.
When can you utilize the 302 redirect?
You need to understand that the 302 redirects don’t have as many uses as compared to the 301 redirects.
You can utilize the 302 redirects when you have to:-
- Get feedback regarding a new web page or design without having an influence on your website’s SEO rankings.
- Redirect the users to the correct version of your website as per their language or area.
- A/B test the design along with the functionality of the website.
- Redirect the visitors of your website to a unique sales page.
How do 301 vs 302 redirects impact your website’s SEO?
301 and 302 redirects matter a lot in search engine optimization (SEO). The reason behind this is that it can have a significant impact on how the search engines index and even rank the pages that have been affected.
301 permanent redirects will encourage the search engines to transfer the rankings along with the specific signals from the source page to the destination page.
Let’s understand it with an example: Google can pass the PageRank, which is gained through links, with the help of 301 redirects.
It means that the destination URL will be able to get the ranking power from the source page. It will gradually replace the source page in Google’s search results.
302 temporary redirects will dissuade the search engines from transferring the rankings along with the signals from the source page to the destination page.
It clearly means that you will be able to safeguard the source page’s ranking ability whenever you want to restore it later on.
What will be the impact of the 301 redirects on SEO?
301 redirect basically tells Google about a page that has moved permanently. It’s done so that it can index and show the new URL in the search engine results. There will be no benefit in keeping the old URL indexed if it’s of no use.
What will be the impact of the 302 redirects on SEO?
302 redirects will tell Google that a page has moved, but on a temporary basis. So, it will keep the old URL indexed and even show it in the search results. It will be a waste of effort to remove the old URL and index the new one if the old URL will get back sooner rather than later.
If Google thinks that you used a 302 redirect by mistake for a permanent move, then it’ll deal with that redirect exactly like 301. It clearly means that it’ll index the new URL instead and merge the link signals there.
No one knows for how much time a 302 redirect needs to exist before Google starts treating it as a 301 redirect. On average, it can take some weeks or even months.
There have been some instances where Google has treated 302 redirects as 301 from the outset.
In case you aren’t sure about how Google is treating your 302 redirects, you can paste the redirected URL into the URL inspection tool provided on the Search Console. If you get to see the “URL is not on Google” warning, it would be treating the redirect as a permanent one(301). In the case of it appearing on Google, it will be treated as temporary(302).
Ways That You Can Use To Implement a 301 vs 302 Redirect
There are many approaches that you can utilize for redirects to take care of URL forwarding. But it depends a lot more on the kind of setup and goals that you have. You can utilize both 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary) redirects to ensure that the users and web crawlers reach the appropriate locations. Some of the ways that you can utilize are as follows:-
DNS zone redirects
You can implement the forwarding at the DNS level. The redirects can be set up by utilizing the DNS zone, which is quite useful to forward the traffic between domains or to relocate the domains. It will ensure that the traffic to the original domain will be redirected in the right manner. But you need to understand that this method isn’t as adaptable as compared to other options.
CMS tools
The redirect management solutions are incorporated into different types of content management systems (CMS). These tools will make it a lot easier to establish the redirects and even to maintain them. It won’t require you to manually alter the files or to use other plugins like WordPress or any other CMS.
Free WordPress plugin
By using a free WordPress plugin, you will get a simple solution that doesn’t require any code to take care of the URL forwarding. There are several plugins available which can be utilized by you to install 301 and even 302 redirects without any issues. In case you’re someone who wants to control the redirection from their WordPress dashboard, this option will be the right one for you. It won’t even require access to the files or the server settings.
Utilizing the .htaccess file
In case your website is hosted on the Apache server, you will be able to implement the redirects with the help of the .htaccess file. The Apache server is a free and open-source web server which is most commonly utilized on Linux and Microsoft Windows platforms.
By implementing the redirects with the help of the .htaccess file, you will get a great amount of control at the server level itself. It will also ensure that your website users have a great experience.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q. Should I opt for 301 or 302 redirect?
In case you’re planning to move your website for some days, you should opt for a 302 redirect to keep the original domain as your primary site. It will be crucial in preserving the SEO authority for both domains. If you don’t want to move the site, a 301 redirect would be a better option, as it will permanently provide you with the SEO value.
Q. 301 vs 302 redirects: Which one is better for SEO?
One thing that can ruin your website’s SEO result is to opt for the wrong type of redirect. A 301 redirect is a permanent shift, whereas a 302 redirect is a temporary one. If you misuse these redirects, you might have to face issues like traffic loss and even decline in search rankings.
Q. What’s the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect certification?
301 redirect is utilized to get permanent redirects, whereas the 302 redirects are used for the temporary ones. So, if you want to have permanent changes for your page’s URL, opt for a 301 redirect.
Q. What is the difference between the 301 and 302 redirect cache?
301 redirect is a permanent one, and it passes 99% of the ranking power from the older URL of the website to the new one. It even gets cached by search engines, so all of the further visits will go to the new web page. The 302 redirect is a temporary one that will not pass any ranking power and will not get cached as well.
Final Words
If you research thoroughly, you’ll arrive at the conclusion that redirects aren’t that difficult to comprehend. In case you’re moving the content of your website to a new location on a permanent basis, opt for a 301 redirect. If you want to move it on a temporary basis, you can utilize a 302 redirect.
However, you don’t need to worry even if you have gone ahead with the wrong type of redirect. It’s because Google will know about it faster than you might have expected.
But you need to know that it doesn’t happen usually. Google won’t be able to know about it every time, so the best way will be to opt for the right type of redirect at the onset.
Looking to get help choosing and implementing an ideal type of redirect for your website between 301 vs 302 redirects? If yes, SEO Toronto Experts can prove to be your best bet. Get in touch with us right away, and let’s talk about your requirements and goals. Call us now!
