Redirect Code Generator
Copy this code into your .htaccess file:
What is a URL Redirect?
A URL redirect is a way to send both users and search engines from one URL to a different one. This is a critical function for website maintenance, redesigns, and preserving your SEO rankings. This tool helps you generate the most common type of redirect code used for Apache servers, which you can place in your .htaccess file.
How to Use This Generator
- Enter the Old URL: Paste the full URL of the page you want to redirect.
- Enter the New URL: Paste the full URL of the destination page.
- Choose the Redirect Type: Select either "301 (Permanent)" or "302 (Temporary)" from the dropdown. This is a crucial step for SEO.
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Click Generate: The tool will create the one-line code you need. Copy and paste this into the top of your website's
.htaccessfile.
Often, you need to create a redirect because you've improved a page's URL structure. You can create clean, SEO-friendly URLs with our SEO Slug Generator.
The SEO Difference: 301 vs. 302
Choosing the wrong redirect type can seriously harm your website's visibility on Google. Here is what you need to know.
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301 Redirect (Permanent): This tells search engines that a page has moved forever. It passes almost all of the old page's "link equity" (ranking power) to the new page. You should use a 301 redirect for:
- Permanently deleting a page and pointing it to a relevant new one.
- Changing your website's domain name.
- Fixing duplicate content issues by consolidating multiple pages into one.
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302 Redirect (Temporary): This tells search engines that a page has moved temporarily and the original URL will be used again. Because of this, it does not pass the same ranking power as a 301. You should use a 302 redirect for:
- Running A/B tests on a new page design.
- Redirecting users during short-term website maintenance.
- Promotional or seasonal campaigns where the user is sent to a temporary landing page.
FAQ
What is an .htaccess file?
It is a configuration file used by Apache web servers. It allows you to set server rules, including redirects, for a specific directory. It is usually located in the root folder of your website.
What happens if I use the wrong redirect?
If you use a 302 for a permanent move, Google may never transfer the old page's authority to the new one, and your rankings could suffer. If you use a 301 for a temporary move, you may lose the ranking of the original page.
For more free technical SEO tools, visit Smarter Insights.
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