What is 301 Moving Permanently?
The 301 redirect, also known as "permanent redirect," is an HTTP status code that tells the client browser to redirect them to a different URL. In simpler terms, it's a way of directing traffic from one website to another.
- When you're updating your website and need to change the URL of a page or link, you may use a 301 redirect instead of rewriting the content directly in the URL. This is because this method ensures that search engines like Google follow the changes and update their index accordingly.
- The primary purpose of using a 301 redirect is to avoid duplicate content issues. When you rewrite the content on your website, you might inadvertently create duplicate pages if the old URL still exists in the index. By using a 301 redirect, you can prevent this from happening and maintain a single, unified site architecture.
Why Use a 301 Movement?
The benefits of using a 301 redirect are numerous. Here are some reasons why you might want to implement it on your website:
- Preserves Search Engine Rankings: By setting up a 301 redirect, you can ensure that search engines like Google continue to rank your site for the original URL, even after the content change.
- Maintains URLs Consistency: This method allows you to update URLs while maintaining consistency and avoiding duplication. It's essential in complex or large-scale websites where keeping track of multiple URLs can be challenging.
- Helps with Link Equity Transfer: When you implement a 301 redirect, it transfers link equity from the old URL to the new one. This is particularly useful when updating content on other websites and transferring them to your own site for better user experience and SEO benefits.