302 Redirect
A 302 redirect is an HTTP status code used to temporarily redirect users and search engines from one URL to another. Unlike a 301 redirect, which signals a permanent move, a 302 tells search engines that the change is only temporary, and that they should keep the original URL in their index.
In simple terms, when someone visits a page that has a 302 redirect, they’re automatically sent to another page — but search engines understand that the original page might be coming back, so they don’t transfer SEO rankings or link equity to the new destination.
When to use a 302 redirect
A 302 redirect is useful when you want to change a page’s location for a short period of time. It helps you maintain the original page’s search engine rankings while you make updates or run tests. Here are some common scenarios:
- A/B testing landing pages: You might send visitors to a different version of a page to compare performance.
- Temporarily removing a product or service: If you’re out of stock or updating a product page, a 302 can direct users elsewhere in the meantime.
- Website maintenance: You can temporarily redirect traffic to a “we’ll be back soon” page while the original is being worked on.
- Seasonal promotions or events: You may want to redirect users to a campaign page for a short time, then return them to the original later.
SEO impact of a 302 redirect
Unlike a 301 redirect, a 302 redirect does not pass full SEO value to the new URL. This means the original page keeps its ranking power, and the redirected page does not benefit from it. If you mistakenly use a 302 when the redirect should be permanent, you could hurt your SEO by splitting ranking signals between the two URLs.
For this reason, it’s very important to use a 302 only when the redirect is temporary. If the redirect is going to be in place long-term, use a 301 instead.
How to implement a 302 redirect
Like other redirects, the method depends on your server or platform:
- Apache server (.htaccess):
Redirect 302 /old-page https://www.example.com/temporary-page
WordPress plugins: Tools like Redirection allow you to choose between 301 and 302 redirects without needing to code.
Website builders and CMS platforms: Many tools like Wix, Shopify, or Squarespace offer simple redirect settings in the admin panel.
To sum up, a 302 redirect is the right tool when a URL change is temporary. It preserves the original URL’s SEO value and avoids misleading search engines into thinking a page is permanently gone. Just make sure to switch to a 301 if the move becomes permanent over time.