Glossary/301 Redirect

301 Redirect

An HTTP status code indicating that a URL has permanently moved to a new location. Search engines transfer SEO ranking value (link equity) from the old URL to the new one.

Extended Definition

A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines: "This page has permanently moved. Update your records." When Google encounters a 301, it transfers the old page's ranking signals (backlinks, authority) to the new URL and eventually removes the old URL from its index.

301 redirects are primarily used for:

  • Migrating a website to a new domain
  • Consolidating duplicate pages (www vs non-www)
  • Fixing broken URLs permanently
  • Restructuring site architecture

Why Affiliates Should NOT Use 301 for Smart Links

For affiliate tracking links, 301 redirects are usually the wrong choice. Because 301 means "permanent," browsers cache the redirect and may skip your tracking server on subsequent clicks. This means you lose click data and can't update the destination without the visitor clearing their cache.

How GeoRedir Handles Redirects

GeoRedir uses 302 redirects for smart links by default, which is the correct choice for dynamic, conditional redirects. 301s would cause browsers to cache the destination and bypass GeoRedir's rule evaluation on repeat visits. Use our free Redirect Checker to verify redirect types on any URL.

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