April 3, 2026
5 min read

301 vs 302 Redirects: Key Differences + SEO Impact

301 vs 302 redirects can directly impact your SEO rankings, traffic, and link equity. Learn when to use each redirect type and avoid costly SEO mistakes.

301 vs 302 Redirects (Quick Answer)

A 301 redirect is permanent and passes SEO authority, while a 302 redirect is temporary and does not pass full ranking signals. Use 301 for permanent changes and 302 for short-term redirects.

Quick Comparison

301 Permanent Redirect

Passes full SEO authority

Used for permanent changes

302 Temporary Redirect

Does not pass full authority

Used for temporary changes

When to Use 301 Redirects

  • Domain migration
  • URL structure changes
  • HTTPS migration
  • Fixing duplicate content

When to Use 302 Redirects

  • A/B testing
  • Temporary maintenance
  • Seasonal campaigns
  • Geo-based redirects

Common SEO Mistakes

  • ❌ Using 302 instead of 301 for permanent changes
  • ❌ Creating redirect chains
  • ❌ Not checking redirect status codes

Check Your Redirects Now

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FAQs

Does 302 redirect affect SEO?

Yes, it does not pass full authority like a 301 redirect.

Is 301 better than 302?

Yes, for permanent redirects because it preserves SEO value.

When should I use 302?

Use it for temporary changes like testing or maintenance.

Verify Your Redirects

Unsure which redirects you're using? Check with our Redirect Checker. It shows the exact HTTP status code for each URL.