301 redirect
Also called: permanent redirect, 301 Moved Permanently
Updated November 9, 2026
A 301 redirect is the server's answer that a page has moved permanently: anyone who opens the old address, people and Google alike, is sent automatically to the new one.
When a small site needs one
Whenever an address changes: a new domain, a renamed page, two pages merged into one, a page removed that has a clear replacement. Without a redirect, old links in Google, in posts you shared and in your listings lead to an error page.
Google uses a permanent redirect as a signal that the new address should become the main version, shows that one in results, and says permanent redirects don't cause a loss of PageRank. Our guide to moving a blog to another address walks through a real case.
Permanent or temporary
Use a permanent redirect only when you are sure the move won't be reversed. A temporary one fits a short detour, for example a service that is paused for a while.
| Type | Status codes | Address Google shows |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | 301, 308 | The new one |
| Temporary | 302, 303, 307 | Usually the old one |
How to check yours
- Type an old address in your browser. You should land on the matching new page, not on the home page or an error.
- If your website builder has a redirects section, check that each rule is set to permanent, or 301.
- In Google Search Console, inspect the old address with URL Inspection. In the Page indexing report, old addresses then sit under Page with redirect, which is normal: what matters is that the new address is indexed.
Mistakes that cause trouble
- Sending every old page to the home page. Google may treat that as a soft 404. Point each old page to its closest new one, and let pages with no equivalent return 404 or 410.
- Chains of redirects. Point the old address straight at the final one, not through two or three others.
- Removing redirects too soon, or leaving the old addresses in your menus, internal links and sitemap.
Often confused with
- Canonical tag
A canonical tag leaves both addresses working and only tells Google which one to show in results. A 301 redirect actually moves people and Google to the new address, so the old page can no longer be opened.
Frequently asked questions
›How long should I keep a 301 redirect?
As long as possible, and generally at least a year, says Google. That gives it time to move every signal to the new address, including links from other sites.
›Will a 301 redirect hurt my position on Google?
Google says permanent redirects don't cause a loss of PageRank. After a bigger move, such as a new domain, positions can fluctuate for a few weeks or more while Google recrawls the site.
›What else do I do when I change domain?
Redirect every old address to its new one, then submit a Change of Address request for the old site in Search Console.
Read more
Sources
- Google Search Central Redirects and Google Search
- Google Search Central How to move a site
- Search Console Help Page indexing report