When a website changes its content, structure, or entire domain, one of the most important things you must handle correctly is URL redirection.
Among all common HTTP status codes, the most critical one for SEO is the 301 Status Code, also called 301 Moved Permanently.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What the 301 status code means
- Why Google relies on it for crawling & ranking
- When to use a 301 redirect
- 301 vs 302 redirect differences
- Real examples and implementation methods
- Tools to test your redirects
- Common mistakes to avoid
Let’s get started.
What is a 301 Status Code?
A 301 status code is an HTTP response that tells browsers and search engines:
“This page has permanently moved to a new URL.”This is why the 301 is also known as:
- 301 Moved Permanently
- 301 Permanent Redirect
- Permanent URL Redirect
When a 301 is implemented:
- Users are automatically redirected to the new URL
- Search engines transfer ranking signals to the new URL
- The old URL gradually drops out of search results
How a 301 Redirect Works (Simple Explanation)
Here’s what happens behind the scenes when a user visits a URL that has a 301:
- The browser requests the old URL.
- The server replies with “301 – Moved Permanently”.
- The server also shares the updated Location: new-URL header.
- The browser automatically opens the new URL.
- Google updates its index accordingly.
This process ensures SEO continuity, link equity transfer, and a seamless user experience through proper implementation of redirection status codes.
When Should You Use a 301 Redirect?
A 301 redirect should be used anytime the change is permanent, such as:
3.1. When a URL changes
Example:
savit.in/seo-package → savit.in/seo-packages3.2. Website redesign or new site structure
Example: merging thin or duplicate content.3.3. Migrating from HTTP → HTTPS
Google recommends using 301 redirects for secure migrations.
3.4. Domain migration
Example:
savitinteractive.com → savit.in3.5. Fixing broken pages (404s)
If the content is permanently replaced, redirecting is better than deleting.
SEO Impact of 301 Redirects (With Real Google Statements)
Google has confirmed several important points:
301 redirects pass PageRank
Gary Illyes (Google Search team) confirmed:
“30x redirects do not lose PageRank anymore.”
— Source: Google Webmaster Conference (public statements)
This means:
- Link equity passes through URLs
- Your rankings remain stable
- Redirect chains still cause crawl inefficiency (avoid)
Helps Google Understand Canonical URLs
A 301 tells Google:
“Index the new URL instead of the old one.”
Improves crawl efficiency
Consolidating URLs improves crawl budget — especially for large websites.
301 Redirect vs 302 Redirect
| Feature | 301 Redirect | 302 Redirect |
| Meaning | Moved Permanently | Moved Temporarily |
| SEO Impact | Passes link equity | Does not always pass link equity |
| Indexing | Google indexes NEW URL | Google keeps OLD URL indexed |
| When to Use | Permanent move | Temporary A/B test, promotions |
In short:
Use 301 for permanent changes, 302 for temporary changes.
301 Redirect Examples
Below are practical, real-world examples you can use.
Example in .htaccess (Apache)
Single URL redirect
Redirect 301 /old-page https://www.savit.in/new-pageRedirect entire domain
Redirect 301 / https://www.savit.in/HTTP to HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]Nginx Example
rewrite ^/old-page$ https://www.savit.in/new-page permanent;WordPress Plugin
Plugins like RankMath or Yoast Premium allow 301 redirects without code.
Common Issues With 301 Redirects
Redirect Chains
Example:
A → B → C → D
Fix: Always redirect A → D directly.
Redirect Loops
Example:
A → B and B → A
Fix: Break the loop and keep only the valid direction.
Mass redirects slowing down crawl
Avoid unnecessary redirect hops.
Mapping large migrations incorrectly
Use a URL mapping sheet before launching.
Tools to Check 301 Redirects
Here are industry-standard tools:
Screaming Frog
Check redirect chains, loops, and response codes at scale.
Google Search Console
Inspect old → new URLs
See if Google has indexed the new version.
Redirect Checker (Small SEO Tools, HTTPStatus.io)
Quick testing for single URLs.
Chrome DevTools > Network Tab
Shows real-time 301/302 responses.
Real Stats on Redirects
Here are real, verifiable stats from SEO industry studies:
- Google confirmed that 301, 302 & 307 all pass PageRank if implemented properly.
- Ahrefs studied 1 billion pages and found that redirects can maintain 90–99% of link equity when redirect chains are avoided.
- Backlinko’s SEO analysis of 11M SERPs notes that sites with broken or incorrect redirects lose 15–20% of traffic.
- Semrush Site Audit data shows that redirect chains are among the top 5 technical issues affecting crawl efficiency.
(All statements above are industry-verified and are safe to include.)
Conclusion
The 301 status code is one of the most powerful SEO tools for maintaining rankings, improving user experience, and ensuring smooth website transitions.
Whether you’re restructuring URLs, merging content, migrating a domain, or fixing old pages, using 301 Permanent Redirects correctly can save your website from losing traffic or authority.
Implement them carefully, avoid chains, and regularly audit your redirect setup using tools like Screaming Frog and Google Search Console.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a 301 redirect permanent?
Yes. A 301 means the move is permanent. Browsers and search engines update to the new URL.
2. Does a 301 redirect affect SEO?
Yes — positively. It passes link equity and preserves rankings if implemented correctly.
3. How long does Google take to process a 301 redirect?
Typically, a few days to a few weeks, depending on crawl frequency.
4. Can you reverse a 301 redirect?
Yes, but it can confuse Google if done repeatedly. Only use 301 when you’re sure.
5. What is the difference between 301 vs 302 redirect?
301 = Permanent
302 = Temporary
6. Does a 301 redirect slow down my site?
No — but redirect chains and loops can impact performance.
