What are the proper use cases for 301 and 302 redirects?
- Use 301 redirects for top-priority pages that you want Google to index first. Use 302 redirects for lower-priority pages which can be indexed later.
- Use 301 redirects all the time. There are no proper use cases for 302 redirects.
- Use 301 redirects when the change is not permanent. Use 302 redirects when the old URL is moving permanently to the new URL.
- Use 301 redirects when the old URL is moving permanently to the new URL. Use 302 redirects when the change is not permanent.
Explanation: The correct answer is Use 301 redirects when the old URL is moving permanently to the new URL. Use 302 redirects when the change is not permanent. 301 redirects are used when the old URL is being permanently redirected to a new URL. This is ideal for scenarios such as website migrations, URL restructuring, or when content has permanently moved to a new location. By implementing a 301 redirect, you signal to search engines that the old URL has permanently moved to a new location, transferring the existing SEO equity, backlinks, and authority to the new URL. On the other hand, 302 redirects are temporary redirects used when the change is not permanent, such as temporary website maintenance, A/B testing, or seasonal promotions. Unlike 301 redirects, 302 redirects indicate to search engines that the redirect is temporary and that the old URL may return to its original location in the future. Therefore, understanding the proper use cases for 301 and 302 redirects is essential for maintaining SEO performance, preserving user experience, and ensuring effective communication with search engines about the permanence of URL changes.