302 Redirect

An HTTP status code that refers to a URL being temporarily redirected to another URL; the search engine continues to keep the original URL in the index.

302 Redirect (Temporary Redirect), is an HTTP status code indicating that a URL has been redirected temporarily to another URL. Search engines continue to keep the original URL in the index and do not fully transfer its SEO value to the redirected URL.

The critical difference between 301 and 302:

• 301: Permanent; passes SEO value; the old URL drops out of the index.
• 302: Temporary; does not fully pass SEO value; the old URL remains in the index.

Situations where 302 should be used:

• Temporary URL changes during A/B tests
• Temporary page redirection during maintenance mode
• Temporary redirection based on geographic location
• Temporary redirection for a mobile-device-specific page

Common mistake: Using a 302 for permanent moves. In this case, SEO value is lost, and the search engine keeps following the old URL for months, waiting to see, “will it come back?”

Tip: If you are unsure, use 301. If the redirect is not truly temporary, 301 is always the right choice.