What is redirect?
An instruction that sends visitors and search engines from one address to another.
The plain definition
A redirect automatically sends a visitor, or a search engine, from one address to another. A 301 redirect says a page has moved permanently. A 302 says the move is temporary. Redirects are normal when you move to a new site, change an address or switch to https.
An example
You rename “/water-heaters” to “/water-heater-repair”. Without a redirect, anyone with the old link, including search engines and old directory listings, gets an error page. With a 301 redirect they land on the new page and the old address passes its value along.
Why it matters for a local business
Keep redirects short: one step is ideal, and chains of several steps slow the page and can lose strength along the way. After any redesign or domain change, test your most important old addresses, and fix any that end in an error or loop.
Check it for free
See where you stand with the free redirect checker. If you would rather have it handled, our Websites service covers this as part of the monthly work.
Related terms
Part of the SEO glossary. New to all this? Start with the beginner’s SEO guide.
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