Ever clicked a link and landed on a different page than expected? That’s not a glitch—it’s called a 301 redirect.
A 301 redirect is a simple way to send visitors and search engines from one URL to another. It tells them, “Hey, this page has moved, go here instead!” It’s very useful when you change your website’s structure or want to move content without losing visitors.
So, what is a 301 redirect, really? Let’s break it down in easy words and learn how it works, why it’s important for SEO, and how to set it up using different tools like htaccess, WordPress, or Nginx.
What Is a 301 Redirect?
A 301 redirect is a rule that tells web browsers and search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new location.
For example, if your old page was:http://example.com/about-us
But now you want people to go to:https://example.com/about
You can set a 301 url redirect so anyone who types the old link will be sent to the new one automatically.
301 Redirect Meaning
- The number 301 is a special code for “moved permanently”.
- “Redirect” means sending traffic from one link to another.
So together, a 301 redirect means “this page has moved forever.”
Why Use a 301 Redirect?
- You changed your website URL
- You deleted a page but want to keep its visitors
- You’re switching from HTTP to HTTPS
- You want to merge content from different pages
This helps users, but also helps search engines understand where your content lives now. That way, your SEO stays strong.
301 vs 302 Redirect: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse 301 and 302 redirects. They sound the same, but they’re not.
What’s the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
- A 301 redirect is permanent.
- A 302 redirect is temporary.
Real-world Example:
Let’s say you own a clothing store.
- If you change your store forever, you’d put a sign:
“We’ve moved to a new location.” → That’s a 301 redirect. - If you close for a few days to paint and use a nearby spot for now:
“Come to our temp shop down the street!” → That’s a 302 redirect.
Why it matters
With a 301 redirect, search engines pass your SEO power to the new page. With a 302, they usually don’t.
So if the move is permanent, always go with a 301 redirect.
Why 301 Redirects Matter for SEO
A 301 redirect is not just about sending users to the right page. It also protects your SEO.
How it helps:
- Passes link juice (ranking power) to the new page
- Stops duplicate content issues
- Keeps your backlinks valuable
- Helps search engines crawl your site better
How long does a 301 redirect take to work?
Usually, it works right away. But Google may take a few days to update its index. So be patient. The change is fast, but SEO updates can take time.
How to Make a 301 Redirect (By Platform)
Now let’s look at how to 301 redirect on different setups.
1. 301 Redirect with htaccess
If your website uses Apache (many do), you can create a 301 redirect htaccess file.
htaccess 301 redirect example:
Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://www.example.com/new-page.html
To redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
So if you’re asking, “how to redirect 301 htaccess?” or need a redirection 301 htaccess example, this is it.
2. WordPress 301 Redirect
If you’re on WordPress, it’s even easier.
How to set 301 redirect in WordPress:
- Use plugins like Redirection or Rank Math
- Or add code in
functions.php(only if you know what you’re doing)
This is the go-to way for a simple WordPress 301 redirect.
3. 301 Nginx Redirect
Using Nginx? You’ll need to add this to your config:
rewrite ^/old-page$ https://example.com/new-page permanent;
That’s your 301 nginx redirect. Clean and fast.
301 Redirect Tools You Can Use
Want to make sure your redirects are working? Use a 301 redirect checker. These tools let you enter a URL and see the redirect chain and status code.
Popular tools:
- httpstatus.io
- Redirect Checker by SmallSEOTools
- Screaming Frog (for bulk checks)
Best Practices for 301 Redirects
Follow these tips for smooth redirects:
- Keep redirect chains short
- Always use 301 for permanent changes
- Avoid redirect loops (A → B → A)
- For HTTPS upgrades, use htaccess 301 redirect http to https
- Make sure the redirected page loads quickly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a 302 when you really need a 301
- Forgetting to update internal links
- Creating too many redirects in a chain
- Not testing your redirect with a 301 redirect checker
Final Thoughts
A 301 redirect is a small setting with big impact. It keeps your visitors and search engines happy, saves your SEO rankings, and makes your site more flexible as it grows.
Whether you’re working with WordPress, htaccess, or Nginx, just remember—set it once, set it right.
Need to check your redirects? Try a 301 redirect checker today and make sure everything’s working perfectly.
