301 vs 302 Redirect: Which One to Use for SEO

The redirect codes

Code	Name	Meaning	Use it for
301	Moved Permanently	The page has a new home for good	Site moves, changed URLs, merged pages
302	Found	Temporarily elsewhere	Short promotions, A/B tests, maintenance
307	Temporary Redirect	Like 302, keeps the request method	Temporary moves for forms and APIs
308	Permanent Redirect	Like 301, keeps the request method	Permanent moves for forms and APIs

For SEO, 301 and 308 are treated the same way, as are 302 and 307.

How Google treats each one

Permanent redirects (301, 308) are a strong signal that the new address should replace the old one in search results. Ranking signals pass to the new page.

Temporary redirects (302, 307) are a weak signal. Google usually keeps the old address in its index, because you've said you're coming back.

Google has said redirects don't lose PageRank, so a 301 isn't "leaking" value. And if a 302 stays in place for a long time, Google may eventually treat it as permanent. But it's better to send the right signal from the start.

When to use a 301

You changed a page's URL.
You moved from HTTP to HTTPS, or between www and non-www.
You moved to a new domain.
You merged two pages into one.
You deleted a page and there's a close replacement.

When to use a 302

A product is temporarily out of stock and you send people to a category for a few days.
A seasonal page temporarily points elsewhere.
You're testing a new version of a page.
The site is in short maintenance.

If you're not sure whether you'll ever go back, you probably won't. Use a 301.

Redirect chains and loops

A chain is a redirect to a redirect: A → B → C. Each hop slows the page and adds a point of failure. Google follows up to 10 hops, but fewer is better. Fix chains by pointing A straight to C, and update internal links to the final address.

A loop sends A → B → A, and the page never loads. Browsers show an error; Google gives up.

Other kinds of redirect

Meta refresh (<meta http-equiv="refresh">): an instant meta refresh is treated like a permanent redirect, but a server redirect is more reliable.
JavaScript redirects: Google can follow them after rendering, but they're slower to be picked up. Use server redirects where you can.

Check a redirect

Enter any address in the checker on this page. It follows every hop, shows each status code and destination, and flags chains, loops, temporary redirects that look permanent, and the common www/HTTPS variations. To check several addresses at once, use the bulk HTTP status checker.

Questions

What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?

A 301 says a page has moved permanently, so Google indexes the new address. A 302 says the move is temporary, so Google usually keeps the old one.

Do 301 redirects lose SEO value?

No. Google has said permanent redirects pass PageRank without loss.

How long should I keep a 301 redirect?

At least a year, and ideally permanently, especially if other sites link to the old address.

Is a 302 redirect bad for SEO?

Not when the move really is temporary. It's a problem when used for permanent moves, because Google may keep showing the old address.

301 vs 302 redirects: which one should you use?