301 vs 302 Redirects: Which One Should You Actually Use?

If you have spent any time working on SEO or site management, you have probably encountered the question of whether to use a 301 or 302 redirect. On the surface, both do the same thing: send users from one URL to another. But how search engines interpret them is entirely different, and choosing the wrong one can have real consequences for your rankings.

What a 301 Redirect Does

A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect. It tells browsers and search engines that the original URL has moved permanently to a new location. When a search engine encounters a 301, it removes the old URL from its index, replaces it with the new one and transfers the accumulated link equity to the destination page.

This is the redirect you want to use when a page has moved for good. Common scenarios include site migrations, domain changes, URL structure updates and consolidating duplicate content into a single canonical page.

The search engine does not immediately drop the old URL from its index. Instead, it processes the redirect over time, gradually phasing out the old page and elevating the new one. This transition period typically takes a few weeks, which is why you might see both URLs in search results briefly after a 301 redirect.

What a 302 Redirect Does

A 302 redirect signals a temporary move. It tells search engines that the original URL still exists and may return. The old URL stays in the index, and link equity is not transferred to the destination page.

This is appropriate when you genuinely plan to bring the original page back. Examples include A/B testing landing pages, showing region-specific content temporarily or redirecting to a maintenance page during site updates.

Many CMS platforms and web servers default to 302 redirects because they are the safer choice in cases where you are unsure about permanence. However, this safety comes at a cost: your new page does not benefit from the SEO value of the old one.

Why the Distinction Matters for SEO

The difference between a 301 and 302 is not academic. It directly affects how search engines handle your pages.

If you use a 302 for a permanent move, search engines continue indexing the old URL and withhold authority from the new one. Your new page may struggle to rank even if the content is better, because the SEO value is sitting on a URL that no longer serves real content.

Conversely, using a 301 for a genuinely temporary change means the original URL gets dropped from the index. When you want to bring it back, you have to rebuild its visibility from scratch.

The distinction also affects how backlinks are interpreted. A backlink to a 301-redirected URL transfers authority to the new destination. A backlink to a 302-redirected URL still points to the old URL in the search engine index, not the new one, so the authority stays with the old page.

The Most Common Mistake

The most frequent error is using a 302 when a 301 is needed. This happens because some platforms and plugins default to 302 redirects, and many marketers do not realize there is a difference. If you set up a redirect and did not explicitly choose the status code, check what your tool is using.

Another common issue is using a 302 during a site migration. Migrations are by definition permanent changes. Every redirect created as part of a migration should be a 301 unless there is a specific, documented reason for a temporary redirect.

Decision Framework

Choosing the right redirect comes down to one question: will the original URL come back?

• If the old URL is gone for good, use a 301. This includes domain changes, permanent content moves, URL restructuring and page consolidation.
• If the old URL will return, use a 302. This includes temporary promotions, A/B tests, maintenance pages and seasonal content swaps.
• If you are unsure, default to a 301. Most URL changes are permanent in practice, even when teams think they might reverse them later.

Beyond 301 and 302

There are other redirect status codes worth knowing about. A 307 is the modern equivalent of a 302 that preserves the original request method. A 308 does the same for permanent redirects, functioning like a 301 but maintaining the request method. These matter primarily for applications and APIs rather than standard web pages.

For most marketing and SEO use cases, the choice is between 301 and 302. If you want to understand the full range of redirect types and their specific applications, this complete guide from urllo dedicated to URL redirects covers each status code and when it applies.

Getting It Right From the Start

The simplest way to avoid redirect problems is to make the right choice upfront. Before creating any redirect, confirm whether the move is permanent or temporary. Check that your tool or platform is using the correct status code. And document your redirects so future team members understand why each one exists.

A few minutes of planning at the start prevents weeks of SEO recovery later. When in doubt, consult your SEO team or a reference guide before setting up redirects on high-traffic pages.