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SEO Redirects Guide: 301, 302, 307 and 308

Learn how SEO redirects work, when to use 301, 302, 307 and 308 redirects and how to fix redirect chains and loops.

Published August 2026
Updated August 2026
10 min read
Chapter 12

Redirects and Redirect Chains

Redirects tell browsers and crawlers that a URL should lead somewhere else. They are essential during website migrations, URL changes and content restructuring.

Use the Right Redirect

A permanent URL change generally requires a permanent redirect, while temporary situations may require a temporary redirect. The exact implementation depends on the migration and application architecture.
RedirectTypical Purpose
301Permanent redirect
302Temporary redirect
307Temporary redirect preserving the request method
308Permanent redirect preserving the request method

Redirect Chains

A redirect chain occurs when URL A redirects to URL B and URL B redirects to URL C. Whenever possible, redirect the original URL directly to the final destination.

Step 1

Old URL

Step 2

Intermediate URL

Step 3

Final URL

Redirect Audit Checklist

Important old URLs redirect to relevant destinations
Redirect chains are minimized
Redirect loops do not exist
Redirect destinations return successful responses
Internal links point directly to final URLs
Removed pages are handled intentionally
HTTP to HTTPS redirects work correctly
Old URL structures are reviewed after migrations
💡

SEOHACK Tip

After a site migration, crawl both the new website and a list of important legacy URLs. This helps identify missing redirects that may otherwise remain unnoticed.

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SEOHACK Editorial Team

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