A 301 Redirect (Moved Permanently) is an HTTP status code that tells browsers and search engines that a page has been permanently moved to a new location.
When a visitor attempts to access the old URL, they are automatically redirected to the new address.
For example:
https://old-domain.comcan be redirected to:
https://new-domain.comor:
https://yourdomain.com/old-pageto:
https://yourdomain.com/new-pageTable of Contents
How Does a 301 Redirect Work?
When a browser or search engine requests a page that has a 301 redirect configured:
- The server responds with the HTTP status code:
301 Moved Permanently- The server provides the new destination URL.
- The browser automatically loads the new address.
- Search engines update their indexes to reflect the new location.
Because this process happens before the page content is loaded, visitors usually do not notice the redirect.
Why Use a 301 Redirect?
A 301 redirect is commonly used when:
- Changing a domain name
- Moving a website to a new address
- Renaming pages or URLs
- Consolidating duplicate content
- Redirecting HTTP traffic to HTTPS
- Redirecting non-www URLs to www (or vice versa)
SEO Benefits
A 301 redirect is considered the preferred method for permanent URL changes because it informs search engines that the move is intentional and permanent.
Search engines such as Google generally:
- Transfer ranking signals from the old URL to the new one
- Update indexed URLs over time
- Prevent duplicate content issues
- Preserve existing search engine visibility
For this reason, 301 redirects are widely used during website migrations and domain changes.
Example
Suppose your website previously operated at:
https://oldsite.comand has been moved to:
https://newsite.comA 301 redirect ensures that:
- Visitors are automatically sent to the new website.
- Existing bookmarks continue to work.
- Search engines replace the old URL with the new one in search results.
301 vs. 302 Redirect
| Redirect Type | Meaning | Search Engine Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent Redirect | Index the new URL |
| 302 | Temporary Redirect | Keep the original URL indexed |
If the move is permanent, a 301 redirect should be used.
Common Uses
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
http://yourdomain.com
→
https://yourdomain.comRedirect Non-WWW to WWW
https://yourdomain.com
→
https://www.yourdomain.comRedirect an Old Page
https://yourdomain.com/services
→
https://yourdomain.com/web-hostingRedirect an Entire Domain
https://old-domain.com
→
https://new-domain.comSummary
A 301 Redirect is a permanent redirect that automatically sends visitors and search engines from an old URL to a new one. It is commonly used during website migrations, domain changes, URL restructuring, and HTTPS implementations. Because search engines treat a 301 redirect as a permanent move, it helps preserve SEO value and ensures that users reach the correct destination without interruption.