A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines that a resource has moved permanently. Used carefully, it preserves access and helps transfer search signals when a URL or domain changes.
Redirect to the closest relevant destination
Map each old URL to a page that satisfies the same intent. Redirecting every removed page to the homepage creates a poor experience and may be treated as a soft 404.
Prepare the migration
Export existing URLs, review important backlinks and create a one-to-one redirect map before launch. Update internal links, canonical tags, hreflang references and sitemaps so they point directly to the new addresses.
Avoid chains and loops
Each old URL should reach its final destination in one step. Multiple redirects add latency and make migrations harder to diagnose.
Monitor after launch
Crawl both the old and new URL sets, review server logs and search-platform reports, and keep relevant redirects in place long enough for users and systems to adopt the new structure.
A redirect is only one part of a migration. Content equivalence, technical consistency and ongoing monitoring determine whether search value is preserved.
