Field notes from the
internet's plumbing.

301 vs 302 Redirect: The Complete Guide

When you move a page, change a URL, or migrate a site, you have to choose: 301 or 302. Most people guess. Some copy what they did last time. Getting it wrong doesn't break the site. Users still reach the right page. But it can quietly drain months of SEO value before you notice anything is wrong. Here is the short answer. Use 301 when the move is permanent. Use 302 when the move is temporary and you genuinely plan to bring the original URL back. If you are not sure, use 301.