What is a 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect indicates that a web page or resource has been permanently moved to a new location. It sends a “Moved Permanently” HTTP status code to browsers or web crawlers, along with the new URL. Unlike a 302 redirect, a 301 redirect signals search engines to update the indexed URL to the new one.
Why are 301 redirects important?
301 redirects prevent 404 errors when content moves and forward link equity from the old URL to the new one. They ensure search engines and visitors reach the correct page, preserving SEO value.
How to implement 301 redirects?
Implement 301 redirects by editing the .htaccess file on Apache servers. For individual pages, use:
bashCopy codeRedirect 301 /old-page.html /new-page.html
On non-Apache servers or platforms like Windows/IIS or Nginx, follow specific guides or use WordPress plugins.
How to find and fix 301 redirect issues?
Use website crawlers to identify and resolve issues such as HTTP pages, redirect chains, broken redirects, and 301 redirects in sitemaps. Regularly check for external redirecting links to ensure they point to relevant and safe destinations.
