Choose a 301 Redirect when:
- The content has moved permanently: You’ve simply relocated the page to a new URL.
- You want to preserve SEO value: 301 redirects pass most of the link equity and ranking signals from the old URL to the new one.
- A relevant replacement exists: The old page has a clear and related counterpart on your website.
Choose a 410 Response when:
- The content is permanently gone: The page has been deleted and will never return.
- No relevant replacement exists: There’s no similar or related content on your website that users should be directed to.
- You want to inform search engines: A 410 tells search engines to remove the page from their index, preventing wasted crawl effort.
Key Considerations:
- User Experience: 301 redirects provide the smoothest user experience by seamlessly directing visitors to the new location.
- SEO Impact: 301s are generally preferred for SEO as they help maintain link equity and prevent ranking drops.
- Accuracy: Ensure you use the correct redirect type. Incorrectly using a 410 for a page that should be redirected can negatively impact your SEO.
In Summary when updating your .htaccess file for redirects:
- If possible, prioritize 301 redirects. They offer the best balance of user experience and SEO benefits.
- Use 410s sparingly and only when appropriate.
I hope this helps!
Related: Maintain SEO Power During Your Website Migration & Rebuild: A Smooth Builder Switch
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