Learn the basics of Broken Links’s effect on SEO
Recently after analysing our website www.digitarctica.com, we realized there were 6 links that were hidden and not visible to the naked eye however getting crawled on Google hence reducing the SEO score. For those who don’t know how to do it, you can put your Site:yourdomin.com in Google search click on all the links and see if all are active. Yourdomain.com is the domain you want to search for. It’s good for the new website with quite a less pages. If you have 50+ pages and want to see if they are broken, it’s better to use Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush or similar SEO site auditing sites.
If you want to know the top 50 tools for SEO practices read our blog Top 50 Tools for Search Engine Optimization.
So If you find broken links, you should immediately redirect the links to another URL which are similar in nature. But, not all redirects are created equal. The redirect you choose—301, 302, or 307—can have a significant impact on your website’s SEO, user experience, and performance.
Let’s break down the differences between these redirects when to use each, and how they affect your search engine optimization efforts.
What is a Redirect? What does it mean to your website SEO?
A redirect is a way of forwarding one website link to another link (same or another website). When a user clicks on or visits a redirected URL, they’re automatically sent to a new page. Redirects are vital during website migrations, content updates, or URL changes. However, the type of redirect you choose determines how search engines, like Google, handle your old and new URLs.
The Power of 301 Redirects: SEO’s Best Friend
A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect. It tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location and that they should transfer all ranking signals from the old page to the new one.
When to Use a 301 Redirect:
- Permanent URL Changes: If you’ve redesigned your website or restructured your content the old URL will no longer be used.
- Consolidating Duplicate Content: When combining multiple similar pages into one.
- Website Migration: If you’ve changed your domain name or migrated your directory, your few or all URLs may have changed.
SEO Impact of 301 Redirect:
A 301 redirect is the most SEO-friendly option for permanent changes. It passes around 90-99% of the original page’s SEO value to the new page, including backlinks, PageRank, and authority. By preserving these ranking signals, you maintain your website’s search visibility and traffic without losing SEO momentum.
302 Redirects: Temporary Detours with a Caveat
A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect. It tells search engines like Google and Bing that the redirection is for a limited period and the URL will return to its original condition later soon. Unlike a 301, a 302 does not pass SEO equity to the new page, which is critical if the redirect is truly temporary.
When to Use a 302 Redirect:
- Temporary Maintenance: If a page is temporarily unavailable but will return soon.
- A/B Testing: When testing new content or designs, but you don’t want to lose SEO rankings for the original page.
- Promotions or Seasonal Pages: Redirecting users to special event pages for a limited time (e.g., Black Friday sales).
SEO Impact of 302 Redirect:
Search engines treat a 302 redirect differently from a 301. They assume the original page will return, so they don’t transfer the SEO value to the new page. This can be beneficial if you want to preserve the original page’s rankings, but it can hurt you if the move turns out to be permanent and you’ve mistakenly used a 302 redirect. Always ensure that a 302 is used strictly for temporary situations.
307 Redirects: Temporary, but with Precision
A 307 redirect is also a temporary redirect, but it differs from a 302 in one key way: it guarantees that the request method (GET, POST, etc.) and the request body are preserved during the redirect. This makes it more precise and reliable in certain situations, such as when handling form submissions or API requests.
When to Use a 307 Redirect:
- Temporary Redirects for Form Submissions: When you need to redirect a form submission but ensure that the HTTP method (e.g., POST) stays intact.
- Temporary API Redirects: For cases where the request method must remain unchanged, such as for API calls or other server communications.
SEO Impact of 307 Redirect:
Like a 302 redirect, a 307 is also temporary and does not transfer SEO value to the new page. This makes it ideal for situations where the original page’s rankings need to be preserved while the redirect is in place. However, because 307 redirects are more specific in how they handle HTTP methods, they’re typically used for more technical scenarios rather than everyday redirects.
Choose the right redirection for SEO Maintainance
Choosing between a 301, 302, or 307 redirect comes down to your intention:
- 301 Redirect: Best for permanent changes, ensuring that SEO value is passed to the new URL. Use this when the old page will not return, and you want to preserve your search rankings.
- 302 Redirect: Ideal for temporary changes where you plan to restore the original URL. Use this when you don’t want the new page to inherit the SEO value from the old page.
- 307 Redirect: Use for temporary redirects where preserving the original HTTP method is crucial, typically in more technical contexts like form submissions or API requests.
Redirection is not just a tool but a part of SEO strategy
Redirects are a powerful tool in your SEO arsenal, but using them correctly is critical. Misusing a 302 or 307 redirect when a 301 is needed can result in lost rankings, decreased traffic, and frustrated users. Always align your redirects with your website’s long-term strategy to ensure that you’re preserving your SEO value while providing a smooth user experience.
In the ever-changing landscape of SEO, small details like choosing the correct redirect can make a significant difference in maintaining your search engine visibility and performance. So, think carefully about your choice—your website’s rankings depend on it.