A 301 redirect, also known as a permanent redirect, is a method used to instruct web browsers and search engines that a web page has permanently moved to a new location. When a user tries to access a URL that has been redirected using a 301 code, they are automatically sent to the new destination URL.
Here are some key points about 301 redirects:
- Benefits:
- Maintain SEO value: Search engines consider 301 redirects as a way to transfer SEO value (like backlinks and page authority) from the old URL to the new one. This helps maintain your website's ranking in search results.
- Improve user experience: Users trying to access an old URL are seamlessly directed to the new location without encountering an error message.
- How it works:
- When a web server receives a request for a URL that has been redirected with a 301 code, it sends a special response header to the browser. This header contains the new destination URL.
- The browser then automatically redirects the user to the new location.
- Common uses:
- Changing website domains: When you move your website to a new domain name, you should use 301 redirects to ensure users and search engines find your content at the new location.
- Updating website structure: If you reorganize your website's URL structure, you can use 301 redirects to point old URLs to the corresponding new ones.
- Removing duplicate content: If you have duplicate content on your website, you can use 301 redirects to point one version of the content to the canonical URL (the preferred version).
Overall, 301 redirects are a crucial tool for maintaining website functionality, user experience, and SEO when website URLs change.
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