What Is a Redirect?

A redirect is a mechanism for automatically forwarding a web page to another destination. When a page has a redirect in place, visitors or search engine crawlers are immediately directed to a different page instead of the originally requested one.
 

How Do Redirects Work?

Pages with redirects include a 3xx status code response header along with a location header, which specifies the URL of the page to which users will be redirected. There are several types of redirects, each serving slightly different purposes and conveying distinct signals to search engine crawlers.
 

1. 301 Redirects:
    ◦ A 301 redirect is the most common type used by SEO professionals. It indicates that a page has been permanently moved to another URL. This is essential for search engines because it allows the redirected page to retain its authority.
 

2. 302 Redirects:
    ◦ A 302 redirect signals that a page has been temporarily moved to another URL. It does not significantly affect the page's search engine presence, as the expectation is that the original page will return or may be used for device targeting.
 

3. 303 Redirects:
    ◦ Similar to a 302 redirect, a 303 redirect indicates a temporary move, but it also suggests that the target page is unavailable. 303 redirects are not cacheable and are sometimes preferred over 302 redirects.

4. 307 Redirects:
    ◦ 307 redirects are also temporary and akin to 302 redirects. They clearly state that a page has been moved to a temporary location and is expected to return. These should be used exclusively for temporary redirects.

5. Meta Redirects:
    ◦ Meta redirects instruct a browser to load another URL after a page has initially loaded. These are not recommended, as they can be viewed as deceptive by search engines and may affect indexing and search result display.

6. JavaScript Redirects:
    ◦ JavaScript redirects work similarly to meta refresh redirects but require JavaScript to execute the redirection. This may result in the page displaying information before automatically redirecting to another page, potentially leading to a poor user experience. They are not recommended over other redirect types like 301.

When Are Redirects Necessary?

Redirects are employed for various reasons as websites evolve. Common scenarios include fixing broken internal or backlinked pages, when a page relocates to a new URL, or when there are changes in the website's domain name or folder structure. 
 

Redirects ensure that users can still access relevant content by automatically directing them to the most appropriate page.
 

Issues to Watch Out for with Redirects

When implementing redirects, there are a couple of issues to be mindful of:
 

1. Redirect Chains:
    ◦ A redirect chain occurs when there is more than one redirect between the initial URL and the final destination. These often happen inadvertently as redirects accumulate over time.

    ◦ Redirect chains can impact user experience, crawl budget, and search engine crawling. Search engines may stop following redirect chains after a certain number of redirects, typically up to five.

2. Redirect Loops:
    ◦ A redirect loop occurs when a page is redirected back to itself or enters an infinite cycle of redirects.

    ◦ Redirect loops can result from caching, where a redirect is temporarily cached but later reversed. Users who visited the URL before the reversal may be redirected back to the original URL, creating a loop.

Navigating these issues is essential for maintaining a smooth user experience and ensuring that search engines can properly crawl and index your website.