Beginner
HTTP Status Codes & Redirect Types
Understanding the difference between 301, 302, 307, and other redirect codes.
301 Moved Permanently
When to Use It
When a page has permanently moved
SEO Impact
Search engines will update their index to the new URL
Pros
- + Search engines update links
- + Old links preserve SEO value
Cons
- - Slower than meta redirects
- - Must be configured server-side
302 Found (Temporary)
When to Use It
When a page temporarily moved
SEO Impact
Search engines keep the original URL in index
Pros
- + Good for temporary changes
- + Easy to set up
Cons
- - Doesn't transfer SEO value
- - Can confuse search engines if used long-term
307 Temporary Redirect
When to Use It
Similar to 302, but safer for POST requests
SEO Impact
Browser won't change POST to GET
Pros
- + Safer for forms
- + Preserves request method
Cons
- - Not as widely recognized as 302
308 Permanent Redirect
When to Use It
Permanent redirect that preserves method
SEO Impact
Like 301, but doesn't change POST to GET
Pros
- + Modern standard
- + Safer than 301 for forms
Cons
- - Less widely supported than 301
Quick Comparison
| Status Code | Type | SEO Value | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent | High | Site migration |
| 302 | Temporary | Low | Temporary changes |
| 307 | Temporary | Low | Form submissions |
| 308 | Permanent | High | Form migrations |