HTTP 301, which we refer to as Moved Permanently, is a status in the HTTP protocol that indicates a URL's content has been permanently moved to a different address. In fact, when a browser or a search engine encounters this status, it understands that it should permanently refer to the new address.
This type of redirect is very important for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) as it informs search engines that the new page should be indexed in place of the old page. In other words, the credibility and ranking of the page is transferred to the new address, which is crucial for maintaining search engine rankings.
Using a 301 redirect can greatly assist with the management and maintenance of a website. For example, when URLs' structures change or you decide to change your domain name. In such cases, utilizing a 301 redirect allows your website to retain its authority seamlessly without losing credibility.
To implement a 301 status, both the client side and the server side can be utilized. Common methods on the server side include using an .htaccess file in Apache or Nginx configurations or via programming languages like PHP.
Below is an example of implementing a 301 status in an .htaccess file, after which necessary explanations will be provided.
Redirect 301 /old-page.html http://www.example.com/new-page.html
Now let’s break down each line of this code:
Redirect 301
This line tells the server that the redirect type should be 301, meaning it is permanent.
/old-page.html
The address or path of the old page that should be redirected.
http://www.example.com/new-page.html
The complete address of the new page that the user or search engine should redirect to.