Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?
A 301 says a page has moved for good, so search engines should index the new address. A 302 says the move is temporary, so they may keep the old one. Use 301 for permanent moves.
Do redirects lose link value?
Google has said redirects themselves don't lose PageRank. Chains still cost something: each extra hop slows the page down, and Google stops following after several. Point links straight at the final URL where you can.
What is a redirect chain?
It is when URL A redirects to B, which redirects to C. It often happens after a site moves twice, for example http to https and then to a new domain. Redirect A straight to C instead.
Should www redirect to non-www?
Either way works, as long as one version redirects to the other with a 301 and every link uses the version you kept. Two live versions split your links between them.