What Is a 301 Redirect and Why It Matters for SEO
What Is a 301 Redirect?
A 301 redirect is an HTTP status code that tells browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new URL.
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently Location: https://www.example.com/new-page/
Why It Matters for SEO
Search engines like Google use redirects to understand the structure of your site. A 301 tells Googlebot:
- —This page has moved — permanently. Update your index.
- —Pass the link equity (PageRank) to the new destination.
Most SEO practitioners agree that 301s pass nearly 100% of link equity.
When to Use a 301
- You've permanently changed a URL slug
- You're migrating to a new domain
- You're consolidating duplicate content
- You want to enforce HTTPS or www/non-www preference
301 vs 302
| Status | Meaning | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent redirect | Passes full link equity |
| 302 | Temporary redirect | May not pass equity |
Conclusion
301 redirects are a foundational SEO tool. Always verify your redirects with a chain inspection tool.
Next Step
Related tools and articles
Status Signals
301 Redirect Checker
Use a 301 redirect checker to confirm that old URLs resolve with the right permanent status code and land on the intended canonical destination.
OpenSEO Workflow
Redirect Checker
Run a live redirect checker for migrations, URL consolidations and cleanup work. Inspect status codes, hop count, final destination and chain-level issues in one place.
OpenManual
Redirect Manual
When to use 301, 302, 307 and 308 without SEO mistakes.
OpenSaaS
Redirects for Pricing Page Changes: How to Update SaaS Pricing URLs Without Losing Intent
Pricing pages often change names, structure, and package layouts. Redirect decisions need to preserve commercial intent, not just keep the page alive.
Open