URL-redirects automatically send users and search engines from one web address to another, preserving access and guiding proper page traffic.
What Is a URL Redirect?
A URL redirect is a technique that points one URL to another. When someone visits the original address, they are automatically taken to the new one. This helps maintain a smooth user experience and ensures search engines understand where content has moved.
Types of Redirects:
- 301 Redirect (Permanent): Passes most SEO value to the new page.
- 302 Redirect (Temporary): Keeps the original URL in search results.
- Meta Refresh: Redirects via HTML meta tag, often with a short delay.
Why They Matter for SEO:
- Preserve link equity when moving or deleting pages.
- Prevent 404 errors and broken links.
- Maintain rankings during website migrations.
Best Practices:
- Use 301 redirects for permanent changes.
- Avoid redirect chains (multiple redirects in a row).
- Keep redirect rules updated in server configurations.
- Test redirects to ensure they work properly.
Example in Marketing:
When a SaaS company rebrands and changes domain names, 301 redirects ensure all old blog articles still direct traffic to the new site.
