Redirect types explained
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There are several types of redirects which differ in their ways to be used.
When a webpage is permanently moved or removed, a web server sends a code called "301" to the browser. The 301 code tells the browser that the webpage has a new permanent location. The browser automatically redirects users from the old URL to the new URL. The 301 redirect also transfers the search engine ranking and authority from the old URL to the new URL.
A 302 redirect is an HTTP status code sent by a web server to a browser. Unlike a 301 redirect, a 302 redirect indicates a temporary move or redirection of a webpage. When a browser encounters a 302 redirect, it automatically sends users to a different URL temporarily. The ranking power and search engine signals of the original URL are not transferred to the temporary URL in a 302 redirect. A 302 redirect changes the request method to GET, potentially causing issues with certain types of requests and data loss.
A 307 redirect is an HTTP status code sent by a web server to a browser. Similar to a 302 redirect, a 307 redirect indicates a temporary move or redirection of a webpage. When a browser encounters a 307 redirect, it automatically sends users to a different URL temporarily while preserving the original request method. The ranking power and search engine signals of the original URL are not transferred to the temporary URL in a 307 redirect. A 307 redirect preserves the original request method, ensuring data integrity and intended functionality when redirecting to a different URL.
What is the difference between a 302 and a 307 redirect? A 302 redirect is like being temporarily redirected to a new webpage, but sometimes it can unintentionally change the way information is sent and received. A 307 redirect is also a temporary redirection, but it tries to keep things working the same way as before, so there are fewer chances for things to go wrong when you visit a different webpage.
A 410 status code is sent by a web server to indicate that a webpage no longer exists and has been intentionally removed. When a browser encounters a 410 status code, it understands that the webpage is permanently gone and does not attempt to redirect to a different URL. The 410 status code is different from a 301 or 302 redirect because it explicitly communicates that the webpage is gone and not coming back, rather than indicating a redirection to a new location. This status code helps search engines understand that the webpage has been intentionally removed, allowing them to update their indexes accordingly.
The 451 status code is used by web servers to indicate that a webpage cannot be accessed due to legal restrictions or censorship. When a browser encounters a 451 status code, it understands that the webpage is blocked or unavailable for legal reasons, such as government-imposed restrictions or court orders. This status code helps provide transparency by informing users and developers that the webpage's unavailability is specifically related to legal factors rather than technical issues.