301 Moved Permanently is a HTTP status code that indicates a resource has been permanently moved to a new URL.
This technique for moving a URL permanently is called a 301 redirect.
When a browser requests a URL that returns a 301 redirect, it automatically goes to the new page provided by the redirect.
Some key things to know about 301 redirects:
- 301 Moved Permanently tells search engines and browsers this is the new permanent location. (However, 301 redirects can be altered by web administrators at any time.)
- They pass on link equity and SEO value from the old URL to the new one. This helps maintain rankings and performance when content is moved.
- They should only be used when the move to a new URL is permanent. Temporary redirects use other codes like 302 Found.
- The redirect can be implemented on the web server using rules/configuration files or in the website code itself.
- For WordPress, SEO plugins can be used to manage 301 redirects.
- Using 301s properly helps avoid broken links, improves user experience, and maintains SEO.
Creating 301 Redirects in WordPress
The All on One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin provides a user-friendly way to manage 301 redirects without leaving the WordPress editor.
This feature is included in AIOSEO's Redirection Manager.
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