Is a 301 better than a 302 for SEO?

For a permanent move, yes. A 301 passes ranking signals to the new URL; a 302 leaves them on the original and keeps it indexed. A 302 is only better when the move really is temporary and you want the old URL to stay in search results.

What happens if I use a 302 instead of a 301?

Search engines may keep the old URL indexed and decline to pass ranking value to the destination. For a permanent move that can stall the new page and cost you rankings, which is one of the most common migration mistakes.

Can I switch a 302 to a 301 later?

Yes. Changing the redirect to a 301 tells search engines the move is now permanent, and they will start transferring signals and reindexing the destination. The sooner you correct it, the less momentum the new URL loses.

301 vs 302

301 vs 302 redirect

Both a 301 and a 302 send someone who asked for one URL to another. To a person clicking through they feel the same. To a search engine they say opposite things: one move is permanent, the other is temporary, and that single word decides whether your rankings follow the page.

Pick the wrong one and a routine move can stall. Below is the practical difference, a row-by-row comparison, and the situations each code is built for.

At a glance

Aspect	301	302
Meaning	Moved Permanently	Found (temporary)
Permanence	The change is meant to last	The original URL will return
Passes ranking signals	Yes, nearly all of it	No, signals stay on the old URL
Which URL stays indexed	The new destination	The original URL
Browser caching	Cached aggressively by default	Not cached by default
Typical use	Migrations, HTTPS switch, merged pages	A/B tests, maintenance, short promos

When to use a 301

Reach for a 301 whenever the move is meant to stick. Changing your URL structure, moving to a new domain, switching the whole site to HTTPS, merging duplicate pages, or pointing a deleted page at its clear replacement all call for a 301.

The payoff is that a 301 carries almost all of the old page's ranking strength to its new home, so a migration done with 301s holds its position in search instead of starting over.

When to use a 302

Use a 302 only when you genuinely plan to bring the original URL back. Running an A/B test, sending visitors to a maintenance notice, or showing a short-lived seasonal page are the textbook cases.

The test is simple: do you want the original URL to keep its spot in search results while the redirect is live? If yes, a 302 is right. If the answer is no, you wanted a 301.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 301 better than a 302 for SEO?: For a permanent move, yes. A 301 passes ranking signals to the new URL; a 302 leaves them on the original and keeps it indexed. A 302 is only better when the move really is temporary and you want the old URL to stay in search results.
What happens if I use a 302 instead of a 301?: Search engines may keep the old URL indexed and decline to pass ranking value to the destination. For a permanent move that can stall the new page and cost you rankings, which is one of the most common migration mistakes.
Can I switch a 302 to a 301 later?: Yes. Changing the redirect to a 301 tells search engines the move is now permanent, and they will start transferring signals and reindexing the destination. The sooner you correct it, the less momentum the new URL loses.