Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
World desk11 min

301 vs 302 Redirects: Which to Use on Your WordPress Site

Choose 301 for permanent WordPress URL changes and 302 for temporary routing or experiments. This guide explains SEO signals, WordPress canonical behavior, server and plugin setup, testing commands, and common redirect failures.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use a 301 redirect when a WordPress URL has moved permanently and the new address should replace the old one in search results. Use a 302 redirect when the move is temporary and the original URL should remain the preferred indexed address. Choosing the wrong status can leave search engines, browsers, caches and visitors with conflicting signals.

What the 301 and 302 status codes mean

A redirect is an HTTP response that tells a browser or crawler to request another URL. The response includes a status code and a Location header containing the destination. The two codes answer different questions: is the move permanent, or is it temporary?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

301: Moved Permanently

A 301 says that the old URL has been replaced for good. Search engines can transfer the old URL’s accumulated signals to the destination and use the destination as the canonical result. Browsers and intermediary caches may also remember the redirect, so changing your mind later can take longer for some visitors.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

302: Found (temporary redirect)

A 302 says that the destination is being used for now. The original URL remains the intended address and can stay in search results. This is appropriate when you expect the original page to return, when you are testing a variation, or when routing depends on a condition that may change.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
TOZO A1 Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Light Weight in Ear Headphones | IPX5 Waterproof,2 Mics for AI Calls,Immersive Premium Sound Bass Headset with Charging Case,32 EQ via App Black
  • [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
  • [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
  • [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
  • [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
  • [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.

What both codes do not do

Neither code automatically fixes internal links, canonical tags, XML sitemaps or campaign URLs. A redirect also does not make unrelated content equivalent. The destination should satisfy the visitor’s original intent; otherwise the redirect can create a poor experience and weak search signals.

Quick decision table

Situation Use Reason
Slug, page, domain or protocol has moved permanently 301 Tell search engines that the destination is the canonical replacement.
Short maintenance window or temporary outage 302 Keep the original URL as the intended result while another page is shown.
Redirect-based A/B or SEO experiment 302 Google explicitly recommends a temporary redirect so the test URL does not replace the original in indexing.
Geo- or device-based routing that may be reversed 302 The destination depends on a visitor condition rather than a permanent URL change.
POST or another method-sensitive request 307 or 308 may be safer These codes unambiguously preserve the request method; choose 307 for temporary routing and 308 for a permanent move.

How redirects affect SEO

Permanent moves and canonical selection

For a lasting URL change, a 301 provides the clearest signal that the destination should replace the source in search. Google Search Central recommends a permanent server-side redirect whenever you need to change the URL shown in search results. That signal works best when the destination is closely equivalent, the page returns a successful response, and your site’s other references point directly to it.

After a permanent move, update internal links, navigation, canonical tags, XML sitemaps and advertising or email links. Leaving those elements pointed at the old address forces users and crawlers through an unnecessary hop and can preserve outdated URLs in reports.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Why a 302 normally does not transfer the primary URL

A temporary redirect allows search engines to keep treating the source as the principal URL. This is useful when a campaign page, maintenance notice or experiment should not permanently replace the established page. A 302 can still be interpreted differently if it remains in place for a very long time or if other signals consistently identify the destination as canonical, so remove it when the temporary condition ends and then implement the permanent status if the move has become final.

Does a 302 hurt rankings?

A correctly used 302 is not inherently a ranking penalty. Its purpose is to preserve the original URL while visitors are temporarily sent elsewhere. Problems arise when a site uses 302 for a move that is actually permanent: search engines may continue indexing the old address, links and analytics may split between URLs, and the new page may not receive the canonical signal you intended.

Why server-side redirects are preferred

Server-side redirects are returned before the page body loads, so browsers and crawlers receive an unambiguous status and destination. They are generally more reliable than a meta refresh or JavaScript redirect, which can be delayed, blocked or interpreted inconsistently. Configure the redirect at the web server, CDN or edge layer when you can; otherwise use a trusted WordPress redirect tool that lets you verify the emitted status code.

Rank #2
Sale
Smart Watch for Men Women Compatible with iPhone Samsung Android Phone 1.69 inch Full Touch Screen IP68 Waterproof Bluetooh Fitness Tracker Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor (Black)
  • 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
  • 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
  • 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
  • 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
  • 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.

When to use a 301 on WordPress

Renaming a slug

If /old-product/ becomes /new-product/ permanently, redirect the old slug with a 301. Change internal links and the page’s canonical URL to the new slug, then retain the redirect so bookmarks and external links continue to work.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Replacing a deleted page

Redirect a retired article to a genuinely equivalent replacement. If no relevant replacement exists, returning a proper 404 or 410 may be more honest than sending visitors to the home page. A blanket rule that sends unrelated deleted URLs to the home page can confuse visitors and dilute the usefulness of your redirects.

Moving from HTTP to HTTPS

An HTTPS migration is a permanent protocol change, so use 301 redirects from each HTTP URL to its HTTPS counterpart. Ensure the certificate works first, update WordPress’s site and home URLs, revise canonical tags and sitemaps, and check that the HTTPS destination does not redirect back to HTTP.

Changing domains or consolidating duplicates

For a domain move or a permanent consolidation of duplicate URLs, map each old address to the closest corresponding new address rather than redirecting every URL to one generic page. Keep the old-domain redirects active long enough for users and crawlers to discover the new locations, and monitor both domains for missed mappings.

When to use a 302 on WordPress

Maintenance and short outages

During a brief maintenance window, a 302 can send visitors to a status page while the normal URL remains the intended address. Keep the response fast and explain when service is expected to return. Remove the redirect as soon as the original page is available.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Temporary campaigns or event pages

Use a 302 when a short-lived promotion temporarily replaces the normal landing page but the permanent URL should remain in search. When the campaign ends, delete the temporary rule instead of leaving a chain of old campaign redirects.

Rank #3
New Bee Guitar Cable 10ft Electric Instrument Bass AMP Cord
  • [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
  • [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
  • [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
  • [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
  • [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by

Geo- and device-based routing

If visitors are sent to regional or device-specific paths and the routing rule may change, a 302 avoids declaring one variant a permanent replacement. Provide a way to reach the preferred version, avoid redirecting search crawlers differently from users, and keep each indexable variant’s canonical strategy consistent.

A/B and redirect-based tests

Google’s guidance is explicit: when a test redirects users from an original URL to a variation, use a 302 rather than a 301. A 301 can cause the variation URL to replace the original in indexing before the experiment is complete. Limit the test duration, keep the original page available, and remove the redirect when measurement ends.

301 versus 302 for request methods

Most WordPress page visits use the GET method, so 301 and 302 are usually sufficient. Forms, checkout flows, APIs and other actions can involve POST, PUT or DELETE requests, where preserving the method and request body matters.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

RFC 9110 defines 307 (temporary) and 308 (permanent) to make method-preserving behavior unambiguous. A 307 tells the client to repeat the same method at the new location without declaring a permanent move. A 308 does the same for a permanent move. Confirm that your application, web server and clients support these codes before using them, and never redirect a sensitive POST to an endpoint that is not designed to receive it.

How WordPress’s own canonical redirect fits in

WordPress includes the redirect_canonical() function, which normalizes incoming links to the proper URL based on the site’s configured address and recognized query variations. It can correct issues such as an extra or missing trailing slash when WordPress considers one form canonical.

This function is not a replacement for deliberate URL migrations. It intentionally does not run in several contexts, including administration screens, previews, searches, feeds, robots.txt, favicon.ico and POST requests. A redirect that works for a normal anonymous page visit may therefore behave differently for an editor, a form submission or a cached response. Test the contexts that matter to your site.

Rank #4
BSIMB 15.6" Digital Family Calendar & Chore Chart, No Subscription Fees
  • Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
  • Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
  • All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
  • Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
  • Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.

Implementation options in WordPress

Web-server or edge configuration

Configuring the rule before WordPress loads is efficient and keeps redirect logic independent of themes and plugins. The exact syntax and file location depend on your host and server, so adapt the paths, domain and configuration context rather than pasting an example unchanged.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

On Apache, a permanent path rule can use:

Redirect permanent /old-path https://example.com/new-path

A temporary rule can use:

Redirect temp /campaign https://example.com/temporary-page

On NGINX, a location block can return a status directly:

location = /old-path {
    return 301 https://example.com/new-path;
}

For a temporary destination, replace the status with 302. Validate the configuration and reload the service using your host’s documented procedure. A syntax error can make the entire site unavailable, so use a staging environment or hosting support when you cannot safely edit the server.

A WordPress redirect plugin

A redirect plugin is convenient when editors need to create and review rules without server access. Before enabling a rule, verify that it emits the intended 301 or 302, preserves or intentionally changes query strings, records hits if needed, and allows exclusions. Disable overlapping rules from other plugins or the server so the request does not bounce between systems.

If you need managed WordPress hosting while configuring redirects, Antihost WordPress hosting puts each site in an isolated environment and includes one-click staging, free migration, automated and manual backups, and free SSL.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Meta refresh and JavaScript

Use these only when you cannot provide a server-side redirect. They load content before sending the visitor onward, can fail when scripts are blocked, and provide weaker signals to crawlers. A meta refresh with a long delay is especially poor for visitors who expect an immediate destination.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Step-by-step: safely adding a permanent redirect

  1. List the source and destination. Record the complete old URL, the final HTTPS URL, expected trailing-slash form and any query-string rules.
  2. Confirm equivalence. Make sure the destination answers the same intent or is the closest replacement. Choose a 404 or 410 instead when no relevant replacement exists.
  3. Choose the layer. Prefer the web server or edge. If that is unavailable, use a WordPress redirect tool that exposes the status code.
  4. Create one direct rule. Point the old URL straight to the final destination; do not route through an intermediate slug, HTTP version or campaign page.
  5. Update site references. Change internal links, navigation, canonical tags, XML sitemaps, feeds and marketing links to the destination.
  6. Test the first response. Confirm that the source returns 301 and that its Location header exactly matches the intended target.
  7. Follow the chain. The final destination should return the expected 200 response without loops, repeated hops or an unexpected login page.
  8. Monitor and remove obsolete rules. Review server logs, crawl reports and analytics for missed mappings, then consolidate duplicate rules after traffic has settled.

Step-by-step: adding a temporary redirect or test

  1. Define the end condition. State when the original URL should be restored or when the move will be evaluated.
  2. Use 302 for ordinary page tests. For a method-sensitive request, consider 307 so the request method is preserved.
  3. Keep the original URL functional. Do not change its canonical tag or sitemap entry to the temporary destination merely to make the test easier.
  4. Check visitor segmentation. Test logged-out and logged-in users, mobile and desktop requests, cookies, regional rules and query parameters.
  5. Measure without creating loops. Ensure analytics parameters survive as intended and that the destination does not redirect back to the source.
  6. End the test cleanly. Remove the temporary rule and restore the normal page. If the move is now permanent, replace the 302 with a direct 301 and update all site references.

Testing commands and expected responses

A header check lets you inspect the first response instead of seeing only the final page. From a terminal, run:

curl -I https://example.com/old-path

For a full chain, run:

curl -I -L https://example.com/old-path

The first response should contain the chosen status and a Location header. With -L, inspect every hop and confirm that the final response is the expected status, normally 200 for a live page. A browser’s developer tools can show the same sequence in the Network panel.

  • Test the exact slash form, uppercase and lowercase variants where your server treats them differently.
  • Check query strings such as tracking parameters and pagination values.
  • Test cached and uncached requests, because a cache may retain an older status.
  • Check anonymous and logged-in sessions if a plugin or membership layer changes behavior.
  • Send a POST request to method-sensitive endpoints rather than testing only with a browser GET.
  • Verify that HTTP-to-HTTPS and www/non-www normalization produce one final destination.

Common redirect failures and fixes

Redirect loop

A loop occurs when two rules point at each other or when HTTP/HTTPS, slash and domain normalization rules disagree. Trace each hop, disable duplicate rules, and establish one canonical scheme, host and path format.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Redirect chain

A chain sends the visitor through several redirects, such as an old slug to HTTP, then HTTPS, then a new slug. Replace it with one source-to-final rule and update internal links. Chains add latency and make troubleshooting harder.

Wrong status code

A migration implemented as 302 can leave the old URL as the indexed address. A temporary experiment implemented as 301 can cause the test URL to replace the original. Inspect the actual response rather than trusting a plugin label or browser result.

Query-string loss or duplication

Some rules discard parameters; others append them twice. Decide whether parameters identify the same content, carry campaign attribution or should be removed, then test representative URLs before publishing the rule.

Redirecting everything to the home page

This hides missing mappings and sends visitors to content unrelated to their request. Build a source-to-destination map and redirect only to a relevant replacement. Return a proper not-found response where no useful destination exists.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Cached old behavior

Browsers, CDNs and WordPress caching layers may retain a redirect or page response. Purge the affected cache after correcting a rule, then retest from a separate network or private browser session.

Practical rules for common WordPress changes

Change Status Additional work
Rename a post or page slug 301 Update internal links and canonical URL; test old and new slugs.
Temporarily show a maintenance page 302 Restore the original URL immediately after maintenance.
Move the entire site to HTTPS 301 Install a valid certificate, update WordPress URLs, mixed-content references and sitemap.
Move to a new domain permanently 301 Map corresponding URLs, update properties and keep the old-domain rules active.
Run a redirect-based A/B test 302 Keep the original canonical setup and remove the rule after the test.
Temporarily route a POST endpoint 307 Verify that the destination accepts the same method and body.
Permanently move a method-sensitive endpoint 308 Confirm client compatibility and idempotency before rollout.

How long should a redirect remain?

There is no universal expiration date. A permanent redirect should remain while people and crawlers may still use the old address, especially after a domain or protocol migration. A temporary redirect should exist only for the temporary condition; leaving it indefinitely creates ambiguity about which URL is intended. Review redirect logs periodically and remove rules that no longer receive useful traffic, but do not delete a high-value migration rule merely because visits have declined.

Final checklist before publishing a rule

  • The status matches the real permanence of the move.
  • The destination is relevant, reachable and uses the preferred HTTPS and host format.
  • The first response has the intended 301, 302, 307 or 308 code.
  • The Location value is correct and contains no accidental loop.
  • The chain ends at the expected page with a successful response.
  • Internal links, canonical tags and sitemaps point directly to the final URL for permanent moves.
  • Query strings, cookies, mobile behavior, cached responses and login states have been tested.
  • Method-sensitive requests have been tested with their real HTTP method.
  • Temporary rules have an owner and an explicit removal or review date.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.