What is a 302 redirect and why is it important for SEO?

When managing a website, you may need to redirect one page to another at some point. Whether it’s due to temporarily moving content or performing maintenance, a 302 redirect can be the ideal solution.

What is a 302 redirect?

A 302 redirect is a type of redirection that tells browsers and search engines that the requested page has been temporarily moved to a new location. Unlike a 301 redirect (which is permanent), a 302 redirect communicates that the original URL will become available again in the future.

When a user or a search engine tries to access a URL with a 302 redirect, they are automatically redirected to the new page without losing the ability to return to the original content later.

Why is it important for SEO?

302 redirects have a significant impact on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Here are some key reasons why:

1. Retains the authority of the original page:
   Unlike a 301 redirect, which transfers most of the authority (link juice) to the new URL, a 302 redirect keeps the authority with the original URL. This is ideal if you plan to restore the original page in the future.
2. Enhances user experience:
   Redirects ensure users reach the correct content even if a page is temporarily unavailable, avoiding 404 errors and maintaining a smooth experience.
3. Prevents confusion for search engines:
   A 302 redirect informs Google and other search engines not to permanently index the new URL in place of the original one. This avoids issues if the redirection is only temporary.
4. Manages temporary changes:
   Whether you’re running a promotion, updating content, or performing A/B testing, a 302 redirect allows you to redirect users without affecting long-term SEO.

How to set up a 302 redirect in .htaccess

The .htaccess file is a configuration file used on Apache web servers. To set up a 302 redirect, follow these steps:

1. Access your server files using an FTP client or your hosting’s file manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your website. If it doesn’t exist, you can create one.
3. Add the following code to implement a 302 redirect:

Redirect 302 /old-page.html https://www.example.com/new-page.html

Code Explanation:

• Redirect 302: Specifies the type of redirection as temporary.
• /old-page.html: The URL of the page you want to redirect. It should be relative to the domain.
• https://www.example.com/new-page.html: The destination URL where the user will be redirected.

If you need to temporarily redirect all traffic from one domain, you can use this code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=302,L]

Explanation of this Code:

• RewriteEngine On: Activates the rewrite engine.
• ^(.*)$: Captures all URLs from the original domain.
• https://www.newdomain.com/$1: Redirects to the same path on the new domain.
• [R=302,L]: Specifies a temporary redirect (302) and indicates that this is the last rule to apply.

When NOT to use a 302 redirect

If the change is permanent, a 301 redirect is more appropriate because it transfers the SEO authority from the original page to the new one. Using a 302 redirect for permanent changes may confuse search engines and impact your rankings.