This blog answers what is 307 redirects in detail.
You must have come across a page that says 307 redirects, and you don’t know what it means. You will be surprised to learn that this redirect was first introduced in 1999.
But people who lack technical knowledge are still unfamiliar with the term. So, to help those who do not know what it is, we are here with a comprehensive blog. By the end, you will have expert knowledge on this redirect and will be able to justify its use.
First, we will discuss what is 307 redirect and how it is different from a very similar 302 redirect. Then we will talk about the different situations in which it is used.
Once you are clear about the basics, you will be told why you should be using it. We understand that now everything is about SEO and how it is affected by changes that you make.
Therefore, in the end, we will tell you how the 307 redirect impacts your overall SEO. Let’s begin!
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What is 307 Redirects?
So, what is 307 redirects?
A 307 error is a temporary redirect used by websites when they have temporarily moved a page to a different link. This code is used in the HTTP protocol for various purposes by business websites.
When a person clicks on a page with the 307 redirect, they are automatically redirected to the new address. Therefore, it allows you to make changes to a page without having to take down the page itself.
This means that the visitors who are on your website will experience a seamless procedure. They won’t have to look for alternates because your page is under maintenance.
If you don’t understand the technicalities, view this code like a sign: You have temporarily moved your business to a nearby location, and you are using the 307 code to redirect people so they can find your temporary location.
That is the simplest way to understand the 307 redirect.
What is the Difference Between 302 and 307 Redirect?
So now you must know what is 307 redirects. However, people often confuse it with 302 redirects.
Although both codes are similar, there is a clear distinction between them. Unlike 307 redirects, the 302 code is used for both temporarily and permanently moving a page to a new address.
The reason people prefer 307 over 302 is that the former preserves the original HTTP method. The 302 error can change the HTTP method. This results in a change in any forms or submissions that may have been made on that page.
The 307 redirect is used for maintenance purposes, whereas the 302 code is used for different reasons. If you are using the 302 redirects, you might be changing the domain name permanently or moving web pages permanently. In addition, some people also use it to remove duplicate content.
When is 307 Redirects Used?
We hope you know what is 307 redirects and how it is fundamentally different from a 302 redirect. Let’s move on.
To help you build a better understanding, in this section, we will tell you the uses of the 307 error code. Below are the five main purposes for using it:
1. Website Maintenance
The most preferable use of the code is for website maintenance.
Business websites, which cannot risk their online presence even for a day, use it to make changes to their pages. If you are a website that gets countless views from a page, you cannot take it down.
The time that it spends in unavailability means that you are losing out on customers. That is where you can use a 307 redirect.
Tell people that the page is currently under maintenance, and if they want your services or products, they can use a different page.
2. A/B Testing
Another popular use of the redirect is to run A/B testing.
Suppose you have two different pages, and you want to know which is better. The best way to find this out is to see how they perform individually.
By adding a 307 redirect to the first page that leads to the second page, you can run a test. Some of your visitors will be redirected to the second page, while others will see the first.
Once you have enough visitors on both pages compare their statistics. See whether the people who visited converted more on the first or the second. This will help you optimise your content strategy.
3. Seasonal Promotions
It is the holiday season currently and coincidentally, many websites are currently using 307 redirects.
Suppose that you want to create a separate landing page for the holiday season. You need to ensure that anyone who wants your services must know about the seasonal promotions. That is when you can use the 307 redirect.
Link all of your main landing pages and use the redirect to divert the traffic to the seasonal promotion landing page.
Not only will you make more sales due to the promotions, people will feel more connected with your business.
4. URL Changes
The 307 redirect is so good because it keeps your webpage profile intact. That is why, people also use it for making changes to their URLs.
If you are thinking about changing the URL of your business website, you can use this to test its effectiveness. Build your second website on the new URL and redirect some of the traffic from your original website to the new URL.
Not only will you be able to see the effectiveness of making the change, but you will also have evidence of which URL name people prefer.
5. Other Reasons
There are countless reasons why a 307 redirect may be used. We cannot possibly cover all of them but below are some other popular reasons:
- Forwarding users to a more secure version of the page they clicked on.
- Redirect your users to an updated version of your page without losing the SEO ranking.
- Troubleshoot any server-related issues without disrupting your business.
Why Should You Use the 307 Redirect?
So, we have discussed what is 307 redirects and its uses in detail. Now let’s see if you should be using it in the first place.
The code was introduced to help out website operators while also ensuring that the internet was a smooth experience. Below are some reasons why you should be using 307 redirects:
1. Maintain User Experience
The user experience is highly important in the modern world.
Even Google and other search engines are making sure that they provide a seamless user experience. The reason is simple, there are too many options.
Imagine if someone clicks on your website and finds a broken link. They do not have enough patience to search for what is wrong. They will simply move on to the next website.
For you, that means that you have lost on a client and therefore crucial business. Therefore, use 307 redirects to enhance the user experience.
2. Preserve SEO Value
The best part about 307 redirects is that you do not lose your SEO value.
Building a page with high SEO value is difficult and can take months. You cannot risk its online presence for even a second. But what do you do if you want to make changes?
You can use the 307 redirects to temporarily relocate your audience without affecting the SEO value of your original page. However, we will discuss the impact in detail in the last section.
3. Prevent Broken Links
We cannot write a blog on what is 307 redirects and not talk about broken links.
Broken links are like a poison that will slowly kill your website. To avoid this make sure that you are properly monitoring your website.
It is always better to have an expert do this job or even a team, depending on the size of your business. Make sure that there are no broken links by using 307 redirects.
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How Does HTTP Error 307 Affect SEO?
In the last section of a blog on what is 307 redirects, let’s discuss the most important part.
How does HTTP error 307 affect SEO?
We have given you a slight hint above that your SEO will not face a significant impact but let’s discuss it in detail.
Mainly there will not be a significant impact on your SEO efforts as your backlinks will be preserved. In addition, the link juice will be left completely untouched. Lastly, you will build a more transparent relationship with search engine algorithms.
However, you should use a redirect when it is absolutely necessary. This is because it adds a step in the user journey making it more difficult to reach your content. Further, if you are using too many redirects, you will face problems with indexing.
If you need more details about any SEO concept that you are having trouble understanding, contact us!
The Bottom Line
So, let’s review what is 307 redirects.
The 307 redirect is used to temporarily divert your traffic to a different page without changing the HTTP method.
More popularly it is used for website maintenance and A/B testing. However, website operators also use it for seasonal promotions, URL changes and several other reasons.
Using error 307 allows you to enhance user experience and preserve SEO value. In addition, you also avoid broken links that can lower your website ranking.
People prefer the 307 redirects because it does not have a significant impact on your SEO efforts.
We at SEO Syrup understand the challenges of maintaining SEO ranking in the modern day. Therefore, we provide you with a team of SEO experts to do the job. Click here to get an instant quote!
