Implement 301 permanent redirects for URL changes.
- Implement 301 permanent redirects for URL changes2 cited sources1 category
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Why this matters
301 redirects transfer link equity and prevent losing rankings after URL changes.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- Configure server-side redirects (301) per URL mapping.
- Avoid redirect chains by linking old URLs directly to final destinations.
- Exclude temporary 302 redirects unless strictly required for brief periods.
- Verify redirects return correct HTTP status codes via curl or crawler.
- Document redirect implementation and test coverage for all critical URLs.
Watch for
Using 302 redirects or having redirect chains dilutes link equity and hampers indexing.
Definition of done
All old URLs redirect directly to new URLs using 301 redirects with no chains.
Sources & attribution
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.