Redirection is a web technique that forwards URL to another, allowing users and search engines to access different content seamlessly. The technique is of prime importance to maintain a smooth user experience and retain SEO value after web pages are changed or moved. Broadly, redirection can be categorized into permanent redirection and temporary redirection.
The permanent redirection, also known as a 301 redirect, informs search engines that a page has been moved permanently to a different address. This redirection is important to preserve the link equity as it transfers the SEO value of the old URL to the new one. The typical example would be when a website restructures or merges a certain content from two pages; a 301 redirect allows either a user or a search engine to reach the desired location without losing traffic.
On the contrary, temporary redirection is the redirect that could be used when the page is unavailable temporarily during maintenance and updates. As this redirection will inform search engines that the old URL remains indexed, it assumes the rank it previously assumed.
This would imply that a basic understanding of redirection is very important for the webmasters and marketers alike. Redirecting a page using the right redirect can block broken links and allow ease of navigation while still keeping an eye in view for the SEO function. But shoddy redirection can create a traffic-snatching scenario or create confusion for users; therefore, one must seek to get the right redirection as per the scenario. To sum up, redirection plays a big role in ensuring user experience in optimizing web content.
