Live (Active Page) Redirect (301)
A 301 redirect is an HTTP status code that indicates a resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. It's a server-side redirect, meaning the server itself sends the instruction to the browser and search engines to go to the new location. This is important for SEO, as it passes most of the link equity from the old URL to the new one.
While Live (Active) Page can be used to perform redirects, a "JavaScript 301 redirect" is not a true 301 redirect in the HTTP sense. Instead, it refers to using JavaScript code on the client-side (within the user's browser) to redirect them to a new page. This is typically achieved by modifying the window.location object in JavaScript, for example:
JavaScript window.location.href = "http://www.newsite.com/new-page.html";
Key differences between a true 301 redirect and a JavaScript redirect:
Server-side vs. Client-side:
301 redirects are handled by the server before content is loaded, while JavaScript redirects occur after the page starts loading in the browser.
SEO Impact:
True 301 redirects are recognized by search engines as a permanent move and pass link equity, which is crucial for maintaining search rankings. JavaScript redirects, while they can move users, are not as effective for SEO and may be interpreted differently by search engines.
Reliability:
JavaScript redirects rely on the user's browser having JavaScript enabled and functioning correctly. Server-side 301 redirects work regardless of client-side settings.
When to use a JavaScript redirect (as a last resort):
While 301 redirects are generally preferred for permanent moves, JavaScript redirects might be used in situations where server-side access to implement a true 301 is unavailable, such as:
- When you only have control over the HTML content of a page and cannot modify server configurations.
- For temporary client-side routing within a single-page application (SPA) where the URL changes without a full page reload.
However, for permanent URL changes with SEO considerations, a server-side 301 redirect is the recommended method.