301 vs 302 Redirect: When to Use Which (SEO Guide)
4 min read
Choosing the wrong redirect type can silently damage your SEO. Here's the definitive guide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | 301 (Permanent) | 302 (Temporary) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Page permanently moved | Page temporarily moved |
| SEO equity transfer | Passes ~95-99% of link equity | May not pass link equity |
| Google indexing | Indexes the new URL | May keep indexing the old URL |
| Browser caching | Cached indefinitely | Not cached by default |
When to Use 301
- You changed a URL slug permanently
- You moved a page to a new domain
- You merged two pages into one
- You switched from HTTP to HTTPS
When to Use 302
- A/B testing different URLs
- Temporary maintenance page
- Geo-based redirects (showing different content by country)
Avoid Needing Redirects
Set the right slug from the start with our URL slug generator.