What It Means
A 301 response includes a Location header with the new URL. Browsers automatically follow it (redirect). Search engines like Google transfer the original page's ranking signals to the new URL — this is called "passing link equity" or "PageRank flow".
HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently
Location: https://webdesign001.net/new-url/301 vs 302
| Code | Permanence | SEO Effect | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent | Transfers ranking to new URL | URL restructuring, domain changes |
| 302 | Temporary | Original URL retains ranking | A/B tests, maintenance pages |
| 307 | Temporary | Same as 302 but method preserved | POST requests that should stay POST |
| 308 | Permanent | Same as 301 but method preserved | POST requests permanently moved |
SEO Impact
301 redirects are essential when you change your URL structure. Without them:
- Google sees the old URL as a dead link (eventually 404)
- All accumulated backlinks and ranking signals are lost
- Users bookmarking the old URL get a 404
Implementation in .htaccess
# Redirect one URL
Redirect 301 /old-page.html https://webdesign001.net/new-page/
# Redirect entire directory
RedirectMatch 301 ^/old-dir/(.*)$ https://webdesign001.net/new-dir/$1
# Force www
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
# Force HTTPS
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]