301 vs. 302 redirects: what's better for search engine optimization?

Written by Joe on Thursday, May 13, 2010

Now that you have had your website redesigned, you want to let search engines know that the old pages no longer exist, and it should update it's records to point to the new location. The question is, do you want to use a 301 redirect or a 302 redirect? This article will help you choose the right type of redirect for your situation.

301 Redirects

A 301 redirect is used to redirect from one page to another. When a 301 code is returned it means that the page you are trying to reach has been permanently moved and it should cache the new location. Search engines and your browser will then cache the new location and the next time you try to visit the old page it will know that it has moved to the new location.

302 Redirects

A 302 redirect is also used to redirect from one page to another. When a 302 code is returned it means the page you are looking for has been temporarily moved to a new location. Search engines and your browser will still keep the old url cached and redirect you to the new one. Eventually search engines may cache the new link, but this may take time and is 100% proven.

Conclusion

After reading this article it is plain to see that a 301 redirect is best for search engines. 301 redirects have been proven to be the most efficient way to redirect pages when you change directory structure or redesign your website. 301 redirect will also maintain your page rank in the search engines for that particular page.

I hope this article helped to shed some light on the 301 vs. 302 redirect dilema. If you have a question about what type of redirect is right for you, feel free to contact us.

Like what you’ve read?

Link back to us.
http://www.revolutionunlimited.com/news-and-articles/search-engine-optimization/2010-05-13/301-vs-302-redirects-whats-better-for-search-engine-optimization/

OR Join Our Mailing List