Status Code 301 (301 redirect)

What is Status Code 301?

Status Code 301, also known as 301 Redirect, is an HTTP status code that permanently redirects users and search engines from one URL to another. It signals that the original page has moved to a new location, transferring its SEO value, including rankings and link equity, to the new URL.

Importance of Status Code 301 in SEO

1. Preserves SEO Value & Link Equity

301 redirects ensure that link equity (the SEO power of backlinks) is passed to the new URL. This means the new page retains the search engine ranking and authority of the old URL.

2. Seamless User Redirection

301 redirects automatically send users to the new page, minimizing user frustration, especially when accessing outdated or broken URLs.

This helps reduce bounce rates and ensures visitors are still able to access relevant content.

3. Content Migration

When content is moved, restructured, or rebranded, 301 redirects make sure the transition is smooth and doesn’t negatively impact the site’s SEO performance.

4. Fixing Broken or Outdated URLs

301 redirects are perfect for redirecting users from outdated URLs to active, relevant pages, ensuring content remains accessible.

Types of Status Code 301 Redirects

1. URL to URL Redirection:

Example: Redirecting an old product page to a new, updated product page.

Action: When content is updated, use 301 redirects to guide users and search engines to the new page.

2. Domain to Domain Redirection:

Example: Redirecting an entire website from example1.com to example2.com.

Action: If a website undergoes a rebrand or moves to a new domain, 301 redirects help retain SEO value from the old domain.

3. HTTP to HTTPS Redirection:

Example: Redirecting from a non-secure HTTP version of a website to a secure HTTPS version.

Action: Search engines prioritize HTTPS for security reasons. Use 301 redirects to maintain SEO value when migrating to HTTPS.

4. Non-WWW to WWW Redirection:

Example: Redirecting from example.com (non-WWW) to http://www.example.com (WWW version).

Action: Prevents duplicate content issues and ensures consistent URL structure across the website.

How Status Code 301 Works in SEO

The 301 redirect passes link equity from the old URL to the new one, ensuring that search rankings, organic traffic, and backlinks are preserved.

If similar pages exist (e.g., one with and one without “www”), the 301 redirect consolidates them to a single, preferred version.

Directs users to the most relevant and updated pages, preventing them from landing on broken or outdated content.

Common Causes of Status Code 301 Redirects

1. Domain or URL Changes:

Moving your website to a new domain (e.g., rebranding from oldsite.com to newsite.com).

Changing URL paths to improve SEO or user experience (e.g., shortening URLs or updating keywords).

2. HTTPS Migration:

Redirecting from HTTP to HTTPS to improve security and SEO performance.

3. Redirecting Duplicate Content:

Resolving duplicate content issues by redirecting non-preferred URLs to a canonical page (e.g., example.com to http://www.example.com).

4. Redirecting Old or Discontinued Products:

Redirecting old or discontinued product pages to new versions, related categories, or promotions.

Example of Using Status Code 301

Scenario: A blog website restructured its content and moved old blog posts to a new category for better organization and SEO optimization.

Actions Taken:

1. 301 Redirects: Implemented 301 redirects from the old blog URLs to the new category URLs.

2. Internal Link Updates: Updated internal links within the website to reflect the new URL structure.

3. Verification: Checked all redirected URLs to ensure they correctly return a 301 status code.

Results:

1. SEO Value Retained: Preserved the search engine rankings and link equity from the old blog URLs.

2. Enhanced User Navigation: Improved user experience by automatically redirecting users to updated content, reducing confusion and frustration.

3. SEO Health Maintained: Prevented 404 errors and ensured that the organic traffic flow remained steady after the restructuring.

Final Thoughts on Status Code 301

A 301 Redirect is crucial for preserving SEO value, user experience, and site performance when migrating or restructuring web content. You can protect your site’s visibility, rankings, and link equity, by ensuring that users and search engines are directed to the most relevant and updated pages.

Would you like assistance in implementing 301 redirects for your website?