302 Redirect

What Is A 302 Redirect?

A 302 redirect is a temporary URL redirection method that signals to search engines a webpage has been moved to a new URL for a short period of time.

It’s also used during website maintenance or when testing new pages.

The 302 redirect command is placed in the HTTP response code.

When a search engine like Google crawls the page, it will find the 302 redirect and understand that the redirection is just temporary.

There are a number of different ways to redirect users and search engines to a new URL. The two most common methods are 301 and 302 redirects.

Keep in mind that redirects can have a significant effect on your SEO.

So make sure you choose an appropriate URL to redirect to.

Even if it’s temporary!

When To Use 302 Redirect

Use a 302 redirect when you want to send users and search to a new page only for a short period of time.

If you plan to remove the redirect at some point and bring back the original page, that’s when you use a 302 redirect.

Here are some examples of when to use a 302 redirect:

Note: If you leave it for too long, Google eventually starts treating a 302 redirect like a 301 redirect.

There are no specific guidelines for the maximum time you can have a 302 redirect in place.

Most SEOs agree that a few weeks to a few months is the longest time you should leave a 302 redirect in place.

It depends on the type of content you have on the page.

What’s The Difference Between A 301 And A 302 Redirect?

The difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect is the permanence of the redirect.

But there’s more to it than that…

Redirects can have a significant effect on your SEO.

That’s why you need to get it right the first time.

A 301 redirect transfers the SEO value from the old URL to the new URL. But a 302 redirect is temporary so it does not pass on link equity or SEO value.

The thing to remember is this…

How To Create A 302 Redirect

The easiest way to create a 302 redirect on your site is to edit your .htacccess file. If you have a WordPress website, you can use the RankMath plugin to set up your redirects quickly.

Follow the instructions below:

Edit Your .htaccess File

In your .htaccess file, add the following line of code:

Redirect 302 /old-page.html http://www.example.com/new-page.html

You will need to replace the example pages in the code above with real pages on your site. That will create a 302 redirect.

Use A WordPress Plugin

You can use the RankMath plugin to create a 302 redirect if you have a WordPress site.

Install RankMath, click on “Redirections” and select “Add New”.

Add your old and new URLs and select “302 Temporary Move” for the redirection type.

Finalise the redirect by clicking “Add Redirection”.

That’s it!