Moved Permanently — the requested resource has been assigned a new permanent URL
What 301 Means
The 301 error on the HTTP Status-Codes indicates moved permanently — the requested resource has been assigned a new permanent url. This typically occurs due to site migration to a new domain name.
A 301 is the standard HTTP response indicating a URL has been permanently redirected. It is heavily relied upon by search engines to update indexes and pass ranking value from old to new URLs. Browsers typically cache 301 redirects heavily.
Technical Background
When a server returns a 301 status, it includes a Location header pointing to the new destination. The browser automatically follows this redirect without requiring user interaction. This preserves the user journey by ensuring they arrive at the relevant content.
The architectural distinction between 301 and 302 rests on permanence. A 301 signals that the old URL should be forgotten entirely by caches and automated systems, making it the preferred tool for permanent site restructuring.
Because browsers cache it aggressively, an incorrect 301 can cause persistent routing issues. Reverting a bad 301 often requires users to manually clear their local cache.
Common Causes
- Site migration to a new domain name
- Change in URL structure for SEO
- Switching from HTTP to HTTPS
- Merging multiple pages into one
Typical Scenarios
- A user visits an old bookmark after a completely new website migration
- A search engine crawls a legacy path that was restructured
- Traffic arriving on unencrypted connections is forwarded to the secure port
What to Know
A 301 redirect is standard web behavior and rarely indicates a failure. If it causes an unexpected result, the issue usually lies in a misconfigured server block or an accidental redirect loop set up by an administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HTTP 301 error
No. A 301 is the recommended method for handling altered URLs because it safely transfers link authority and ranking history to the new destination.
You must remove the server rule causing the redirect. However, past visitors may need to clear their browser cache before they can access the original address again.
A 301 is permanent, meaning search engines update their indexes. A 302 is temporary, meaning the original URL should be preserved in indexes.