301 Redirect
HTTP 301 (Moved Permanently) is used for permanent URL changes and canonicalization to prevent duplicates and consolidate signals.
Definition
A 301 redirect is an HTTP status code indicating the resource has permanently moved to a new URL. In SEO, 301s are essential for URL migrations and consolidating signals so users and search engines land on the canonical destination.
Why it matters
- Preserve traffic and link value during migrations
- Canonicalize URL variants (http→https, www rules, trailing slashes)
- Reduce duplicate URLs and diluted authority
How to implement
- Use 301 for permanent moves; use 302 for temporary changes
- Avoid redirect chains/loops and keep paths as short as possible
- Update internal links, sitemaps and canonicals after redirecting
Examples
http
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://example.com/new-urlRelated
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