# What is a 301 redirect?

> A 301 redirect is an HTTP response that indicates a resource has permanently moved to a new URL, passing on to that new address most of the SEO value accumulated by the old one.

- Source canonique : [https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/redirection-301](https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/redirection-301)
- Langue : EN
- Dernière mise à jour : 2026-09-30

## Why it's essential on an online store

A store evolves: categories get renamed, the URL structure changes, a platform migration happens, or the domain name changes. With every address change, old external links, results already indexed by Google and customers' bookmarks still point to the old URL.

Without a 301 redirect, those visitors land on a 404 error and the rankings earned by the old page (backlinks, age, positioning) are lost. With a 301 redirect, traffic is automatically sent to the new page and most of that SEO capital is transferred to it.

## A concrete example

During a migration, an old URL such as /index.php?id_product=42&controller=product can be redirected with a 301 to a clean new URL such as /housse-coussin-lin.html. These rules are usually defined in the server configuration (the .htaccess file on Apache) or via a dedicated redirects module.

## 301 or 302?

> A 302 redirect signals a temporary move and doesn't pass on the same SEO value. Using a 302 for a permanent change is a common mistake that can hold back the new page's rankings.

## FAQ

### What's the difference between a 301 redirect and a 302 redirect?

A 301 signals a permanent move and passes most of the SEO value to the new URL. A 302 signals a temporary move and shouldn't be used for a permanent address change.

### How long should a 301 redirect be kept?

Ideally for the long term, if not permanently: removing a redirect brings back 404 errors for every external link still pointing to the old URL.

### Can several 301 redirects be chained together?

Technically yes, but each extra redirect slightly slows down loading and dilutes the transfer of rankings a little. It's better to redirect straight to the final URL.