301 vs 302 Redirect
What Is the Difference Between a 301 and 302 Redirect?
The main difference in a 301 vs 302 redirect is intent. A 301 tells browsers and search engines that a page has moved permanently, while a 302 says the move is temporary and the original address is expected to return.
A redirect is a server response that sends a visitor from one URL to another. The response carries a status code in the 3xx range and a Location header that holds the new address. Browsers follow redirects automatically, and so do search engine crawlers.
Both codes do the same basic job for a visitor: they land on the destination page. The difference lies in the message they send about the old URL. Newer codes, 307 and 308, work like 302 and 301 but keep the request method unchanged.
How Search Engines Handle Permanent and Temporary Redirects
A 301 is the standard choice when a page, section or whole site has moved for good. It tells search engines to replace the old URL with the new one in their index and to pass ranking signals, such as links pointing to the old page, to the new address.
A 302 is meant for short-term changes, such as a promotion page that sends visitors elsewhere for a few weeks, or a temporary holding page. Because the old URL is expected to return, search engines usually keep it in their index and keep checking it.
Search engines have said they are flexible about this. Google has stated that it may eventually treat a redirect that stays in place for a long time as permanent. A 302 left running for years should not be relied on to keep an old URL in search results. Moving a whole site raises extra questions, covered in how changing hosting or domain affects SEO.
Choosing the Right Code for a Real Change
Imagine a web design agency that renames its page from /services/web-design to /web-design because it simplified its site structure. The change is permanent, so a 301 redirect is the right choice. Links and ranking history should move to the new page.
Now imagine the same agency runs a three-week promotion and sends /summer-offer to a landing page for the length of the campaign. This is a temporary change, so a 302 redirect matches the intent. When the campaign ends, the redirect can be removed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 301 Redirect Better Than a 302 for SEO?
Neither code is better in general. A 301 is the correct signal for a permanent move and a 302 is the correct signal for a temporary one. Using the code that matches the real situation matters more than picking one status code over the other.
Do 301 and 302 Redirects Both Pass Link Signals?
Yes, in modern practice search engines have said both generally pass link signals to the destination page. The bigger difference is which URL stays in the index, and that depends on the status code and how long the redirect has been in place. Long chains of redirects are a separate issue, covered in redirect chains.