What is a 301 redirect?

A 301 redirect is defined as a permanent redirect from one URL to another, which is crucial for maintaining the link equity of the original page. When a user or search engine tries to access a URL that has been redirected with a 301 status, they are automatically sent to a different URL. This is particularly important for SEO because it informs search engines that the page has permanently moved, allowing the new page to inherit some of the original page's ranking power, backlinks, and other SEO attributes.

This technique is often used when a website undergoes restructuring, changes its domain, or when content has been consolidated or deleted. Using a 301 redirect helps ensure a smoother user experience by preventing broken links and also maintains the site's SEO strength, as backlinks pointing to the old URL can pass their authority to the new one. Thus, a 301 redirect is not just a simple navigation tool, but a critical component in sustaining a website's visibility and ranking in search engine results.