A redirection automatically sends visitors from one URL to another. If someone visits an old page address that no longer exists, a redirect can smoothly send them to the correct, updated page instead.
Why Redirects Matter
Without one, visitors following an outdated link would simply land on a “404 Page Not Found” error instead. That’s a frustrating dead end, and it can also hurt your SEO if search engines have already indexed that older URL.
Common Types of Redirects
- 301 redirect — a permanent move, telling search engines to update their records to the new URL.
- 302 redirect — a temporary move, used when content will return to its original address later.
When You’ll Need One
Redirects come up most often when changing a post’s URL, merging two pages into one, or migrating a site to a new domain. Most redirect plugins make this straightforward, letting you set up a rule without editing server files directly.