Definition
A 302 Redirect is an HTTP status code that indicates a temporary redirection from one URL to another. When a web server responds with a 302 status code, it tells browsers and search engines that the requested resource has been temporarily moved to a different location, but they should continue to request the original URL in the future because the redirection is not permanent. This contrasts with the 301 redirect, which signals a permanent change of address.
The 302 redirect provides a specific type of instruction about how web browsers and search engines should handle the relationship between URLs. It creates a temporary mapping between the original URL and the destination URL, without transferring link equity or ranking signals in the same way that a 301 redirect does. The server issues a 302 status code along with a “Location” header specifying the temporary target URL.
Key characteristics of 302 Redirects include:
- Temporary nature indicating the original URL should still be considered the canonical version
- HTTP response status code of 302 along with a Location header
- Limited passing of link equity between the original and destination URLs in search engines
- Preservation of the original URL in search engine indexes
- Quick implementation when temporary content relocation is needed
- Common usage during site maintenance, testing, or seasonal promotions
- Variations including 302 Found (standard), 303 See Other, and 307 Temporary Redirect
- Implementation through server configuration, plugins, or programming code
- No browser caching of the redirection, requiring server processing on each request
- Potential SEO implications if used incorrectly or for extended periods
History of 302 Redirects
The 302 redirect has evolved in how it’s interpreted and used:
1994-1996: The HTTP/1.0 specification introduces the 302 status code as “Moved Temporarily,” establishing the concept of temporary redirects.
1997-1999: HTTP/1.1 specification renames 302 to “Found” and introduces more specific temporary redirect codes (303, 307), though 302 remains the most commonly used.
2000-2005: Early search engines sometimes misinterpret 302 redirects, occasionally treating them as 301s or attributing content to the wrong URL, creating confusion.
2006-2010: Google and other search engines improve their handling of 302 redirects, reducing but not eliminating SEO concerns about their usage.
2011-2015: SEO best practices solidify around using 302 redirects only for genuinely temporary situations, with 301 redirects recommended for permanent changes.
2016-2020: Increased clarity from search engines about how they process 302 redirects, with confirmation that they pass some ranking signals but not as comprehensively as 301 redirects.
2021-2025: More sophisticated processing of redirect patterns in search algorithms, with better differentiation between legitimate temporary redirects and potentially manipulative implementations.
Types of 302 Redirect Implementations
302 redirects can be implemented in various ways for different scenarios:
Server-Level 302 Redirects: Configuration in web server software like Apache (.htaccess) or Nginx (nginx.conf) that processes redirects before application code executes.
Application-Level Redirects: Programmatic implementation within application code using languages like PHP, Python, or JavaScript.
CMS Plugin Redirects: Implementation through content management system plugins or modules (WordPress, Drupal, etc.) that provide user-friendly interfaces.
Maintenance Mode Redirects: Temporary routing of traffic to maintenance pages or alternative content during website updates.
A/B Testing Redirects: Temporary redirection of a portion of traffic to test variations of content or design.
Geolocation-Based Redirects: Temporary redirection to location-specific content based on visitor country or region.
Device-Based Redirects: Routing to device-specific versions of content (less common with responsive design but still used in some cases).
Seasonal or Promotional Redirects: Temporary redirection for special events, sales, or limited-time offerings.
Load Balancing Redirects: Distribution of traffic across multiple servers through temporary redirection.
Authentication Redirects: Temporary redirection to login pages with return to original content after authentication.
Importance in Modern SEO
Understanding 302 redirects remains important in contemporary SEO practice for several reasons:
The distinction between 301 (permanent) and 302 (temporary) redirects continues to influence how search engines treat redirected pages. When a 302 redirect is used, search engines maintain the original URL in their index and attribute most ranking signals to that URL rather than the destination. This behavior makes 302 redirects potentially problematic for permanent site changes or URL structure modifications, as they may prevent the complete transfer of ranking signals to new URLs.
For legitimate temporary situations, 302 redirects provide the appropriate signals to search engines. During site maintenance, seasonal promotions, A/B testing, or temporary content unavailability, the 302 status code correctly indicates that the change is not permanent. This proper implementation helps maintain search visibility for the original URLs while temporarily sending users to alternative content.
Mobile redirection strategies sometimes involve 302 redirects, particularly in situations where separate mobile sites exist rather than responsive designs. Understanding the SEO implications of these redirects is crucial for maintaining consistent signals across mobile and desktop experiences, especially in Google’s mobile-first indexing environment.
E-commerce sites frequently use temporary redirects for out-of-stock products, seasonal merchandise, or promotional campaigns. Proper implementation ensures that product URLs maintain their accumulated ranking signals while temporarily directing users to alternative options. Using 301 redirects in these scenarios could permanently transfer equity away from product URLs that will later return to active use.
International SEO sometimes employs 302 redirects for language or region-based redirection. When implemented correctly alongside proper hreflang annotations, these redirects can appropriately direct users while maintaining distinct URLs for different markets. However, misconfiguration can create significant international SEO issues by sending conflicting signals about canonical content versions.
Redirect chains—sequences of multiple redirects—can substantially impact crawl efficiency and page speed when they include 302 redirects. Because search engines process 302 redirects on every crawl (unlike 301s which may eventually be cached), chains involving 302s can consume crawl budget and introduce latency. Identifying and resolving these chains improves both technical SEO performance and user experience.
As search engines continue refining their understanding of site architecture and content relationships, using the appropriate redirect type for each scenario becomes increasingly important. The technical accuracy of redirect implementation signals to search engines that a site is being professionally managed, potentially influencing broader quality assessments.