When it comes to website redirects, understanding the differences between a 301 and 302 redirect is key. Understanding redirects from an SEO perspective will help you make the best choice for your online marketing efforts.
A 301 redirect is used when you want to permanently redirect one URL to another. This is usually done when you want to permanently retire a page, set up a redirect for an outdated URL, or consolidated several pages into one. Google and other search engines will recognize a 301 redirect and transfer any existing SEO credit associated with the URL being redirected to the new URL.
A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect. This is usually done when you are testing a website or running an A/B test. The 302 redirect will not transfer SEO credit to the new URL, and can’t be used to permanently retire a page.
When deciding between a 301 and 302 redirect, it’s important to keep in mind the long-term impact on your SEO efforts. A 302 redirect is useful if you want to test something without any lasting effects, but if you’re looking to permanently retire a page or merge several into one, you’ll want to set up a 301 redirect so you can take advantage of the SEO benefits.