Frequently Asked Questions About Redirects
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2024 6:53 am
We've seen what redirects are, the different types, and some ways to avoid the most common errors; now we'll answer some of the most common questions on the subject.
Do redirects pass PageRank?
Yes.
If there is a strong match between the india phone number list contents of Page A and Page B, PageRank will pass through the redirects, even if you use a 302 redirect. When the contents do not match, the redirect will be classified as a soft 404 and will not pass PageRank.
However, in case you want to pass the authority to a new URL the best choice would be to use 301 redirects.
Do redirects negatively affect SEO?
No, redirects do not negatively impact SEO.
In fact, in many ways, it's the exact opposite; as long as they're used in the right cases, of course.
Let's look at it this way: if you didn't use redirects but just moved or removed a URL, neither users nor search engines would be directed to the new page after accessing the old URL. This would lead to a drop in keyword rankings and users leaving the site.
When redirects are used, problems like these are avoided.
That being said, redirects should not be overused and problems like redirect chains and loops should be avoided as much as possible.
How long should you keep redirects?
This is a much discussed topic among SEO experts, but it has been confirmed by Google's John Mueller that "After a few years, there are often no more hits to the old URLs and you can remove the redirects."
Hamidou @MidouDiallo
Hi @JohnMu , is there a set amount of time to keep a 301 redirect? Long story short, can 301 redirects be kept indefinitely or do they need to be deleted eventually?#SEO
Based on John's advice and other experiences, it is recommended to keep a redirect for no more than three years. However, if the numbers are not significant, there is no problem in keeping it longer.
Do redirects pass PageRank?
Yes.
If there is a strong match between the india phone number list contents of Page A and Page B, PageRank will pass through the redirects, even if you use a 302 redirect. When the contents do not match, the redirect will be classified as a soft 404 and will not pass PageRank.
However, in case you want to pass the authority to a new URL the best choice would be to use 301 redirects.
Do redirects negatively affect SEO?
No, redirects do not negatively impact SEO.
In fact, in many ways, it's the exact opposite; as long as they're used in the right cases, of course.
Let's look at it this way: if you didn't use redirects but just moved or removed a URL, neither users nor search engines would be directed to the new page after accessing the old URL. This would lead to a drop in keyword rankings and users leaving the site.
When redirects are used, problems like these are avoided.
That being said, redirects should not be overused and problems like redirect chains and loops should be avoided as much as possible.
How long should you keep redirects?
This is a much discussed topic among SEO experts, but it has been confirmed by Google's John Mueller that "After a few years, there are often no more hits to the old URLs and you can remove the redirects."
Hamidou @MidouDiallo
Hi @JohnMu , is there a set amount of time to keep a 301 redirect? Long story short, can 301 redirects be kept indefinitely or do they need to be deleted eventually?#SEO
Based on John's advice and other experiences, it is recommended to keep a redirect for no more than three years. However, if the numbers are not significant, there is no problem in keeping it longer.