What Is Redirect?
A redirect is a way to send visitors and search engines from one web page address to another page. It tells the browser this page has moved so use the new address instead.
Definition
A redirect is a set of instructions on a website that automatically forwards a user or search engine from an old URL to a new URL. It makes sure people still reach the right content even if the page link has changed or the old page is gone.
Why Redirect Matters
- Stops broken pages It keeps users from seeing 404 error pages when URLs change.
- Saves search power It passes most of a pages ranking strength to the new page so SEO value is not lost.
- Makes changes safer You can rename pages, move content, or change domains without losing visitors.
- Improves user experience People reach what they were looking for, even with old or outdated links.
How Redirect Works
When someone clicks a link or types a URL, the web server checks if that URL has a redirect rule. If it does, the server sends a special status code and the new URL back to the browser. The browser then quickly loads the new address instead of the old one. This usually happens so fast that the user barely notices.
The most common types are:
- 301 redirect A permanent move that tells search engines to update their index to the new URL.
- 302 redirect A temporary move that says the change is not permanent.
Redirect vs Related Terms
- Redirect vs 404 error A redirect sends users to a working page. A 404 error shows when a page is missing with no redirect in place.
- Redirect vs canonical tag A redirect moves users and search engines to a new URL. A canonical tag tells search engines which version of similar pages is the main one but does not move users.
- Redirect vs refresh A redirect happens at the server level before the page loads. A refresh happens in the browser after a page has already loaded.
Example of Redirect
Imagine a store changes a page from example.com/shoes to example.com/footwear. People still click old links to /shoes. A 301 redirect from /shoes to /footwear sends all those visitors and search engines to the new footwear page instead of a dead page.
FAQs
Is a 301 redirect bad for SEO
Usually no. A 301 redirect is the best way to keep most of your ranking when you change URLs.
How long should I keep a redirect
For permanent moves you should keep a 301 redirect in place for a long time, many months or even years, so users and search engines fully adjust.
Can I have too many redirects
Yes. Long chains like page A to B to C can slow pages and confuse crawlers. It is better to redirect straight from A to C.
Do redirects work on mobile
Yes. Redirects work for all devices because they are handled by the server or browser, not by the type of device.
