3
Glossary Term
301 Redirect
A forward to a new URL from an old URL with a transfer of all search authority permanently. Current inbound links and traffic will be redirected over to the new URL. 301’s are used for permanent URL redirection when the intent of the webmaster to replace the page with a different one for good.
What it means
A 301 redirect is a permanent forward from an old URL to a new one. It tells browsers and search engines that the original page has moved for good, and it passes along the ranking authority and link equity the old URL had built up.
Why it matters
Without a 301, visitors and search engines hit dead ends when a page moves or is removed, which tanks user experience and can wipe out years of accumulated SEO value overnight. A properly implemented 301 preserves rankings and keeps traffic flowing to the right place
Example
A business rebrands and moves its "Services" page from oldsite.com/services to newsite.com/what-we-do. A 301 redirect ensures anyone (or any search engine) that visits the old URL lands on the new one automatically, with the ranking history intact.
Insights on the topic
301 Redirect
Articles from the blog that dig deeper into this topic.
