What Is a 307 Redirect?
A 307 redirect (also known as “307 momentary redirect”) is an HTTP standing code that quickly diverts web site guests from one URL to a different. The 307 standing code could be a useful gizmo for website upkeep, content material updates, and extra.
However mismanaging it could possibly result in:
- Web site errors
- Decrease rankings on search engine end result pages (SERPs)
- Poor person expertise
On this article, you’ll find out how the 307 redirect works, when to make use of it, tips on how to set it up, and a few greatest practices.
We’ll additionally clarify 307 inner redirect, which isn’t an HTTP standing code however performs a task in web site safety.
Let’s begin by wanting on the wider household of 3xx standing codes.
Understanding the 3xx Standing Codes
All HTTP standing codes with a 3xx quantity take care of URL redirection.
How do they work?
When somebody tries to entry your webpage, their browser forwards a “request” to your website’s server (a system that hosts and delivers net content material).
The server responds with a message indicating the web page’s standing. This message is known as an HTTP standing code.
If there’s a motive for the browser to be guided to a special location, the server sends a 3xx standing code.
Listed here are the 3xx codes in simplified type:
- 300 a number of selections: The browser can select between a number of choices for the requested web page
- 301 moved completely: The requested web page has a brand new everlasting deal with
- 302 discovered: The requested web page has a brand new deal with for a short while
- 303 see different: After an motion like submitting a type, the person is distributed to a different web page to stop duplicate submissions
- 304 not modified: The requested web page hasn’t modified for the reason that person’s final go to, so the browser can use its cached model
- 307 momentary redirect: The requested web page is quickly at a special deal with
- 308 everlasting redirect: The requested web page has moved completely
The 302, 303, and 307 codes are momentary redirects. So how are they completely different?
302, 303, and 307 Redirects: What is the Distinction?
There are three varieties of momentary 3xx redirects: 302, 303, and 307. Every has a singular perform.
The principle distinction between these redirects is how they deal with GET and POST requests—two frequent varieties of requests despatched by a browser to a server when a person tries to entry a webpage:
- GET: When a person solely desires to view a web page
- POST: When a person desires to ship knowledge to the server (e.g., when submitting a type)
302 Redirect
When a person tries to submit a type or different knowledge (a POST request), the 302 redirect may change the request to a GET request.
This may battle with the person’s intention.
For example, if a person is making an attempt to enroll in a publication, their e mail won’t be added to the subscription record as a result of change in request kind.
303 Redirect
The 303 standing code turns all request varieties right into a GET request. It’s thought of momentary as a result of it’s tied to solely certainly one of a number of actions accessible to a website customer, akin to submitting a type.
After a type submission, the 303 code sends the person to a special location utilizing a GET request. This avoids the danger of resubmission if the person hits the refresh button.
However by turning all request varieties right into a GET request, the 303 standing code can battle with the person’s intent. That is why the 303 redirect isn’t broadly used.
307 Redirect
Not like the 302 and 303 codes, the 307 redirect maintains the integrity of the unique request methodology. A POST request, for instance, stays a POST request after the redirect.
Sustaining the right request kind ensures that type submissions and different despatched knowledge attain their supposed vacation spot and permits the web site to raised shield delicate person data.
Though all three redirects point out a short lived transfer, the 307 standing code is the only option, particularly when knowledge submission is concerned.
307 Short-term Redirect vs. 307 Inner Redirect
A 307 momentary redirect is a server-side instruction that tells browsers to quickly redirect visitors from one URL to a different. It is a short-term measure.
A 307 inner redirect is not an official HTTP standing code however is usually utilized in net server configurations. It’s a browser-initiated redirect for a really particular objective: to direct guests away from the HTTP model of your website to the safer HTTPS model.
It’s a everlasting safety measure to guard person knowledge.
When somebody visits your web site, their browser communicates along with your web site’s server. This communication will be:
- HTTP: A plain-text communication protocol
- HTTPS: An encrypted communication protocol, the place the “S” stands for “safe”
Each web site has a non-secure HTTP model. However in the event you’ve applied safety practices, you have got an HTTPS model, too.
Nevertheless, simply having an HTTPS website is not sufficient. Guests may nonetheless land in your HTTP website. To forestall this, you want a seamless redirect to your HTTPS model. That is the job of the 307 inner redirect.
By enabling HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Safety), you may set off these 307 inner redirects in a customer’s browser.
HSTS is a safety function that instructs browsers to all the time use HTTPS as an alternative of HTTP.
The end result: When a person tries to entry your website through HTTP, the browser robotically redirects them to the HTTPS model.
Utilizing the 307 inner redirects through HSTS ensures that customers’ knowledge stays encrypted and safe from potential threats.
How you can Set Up a 307 Redirect
There are a number of methods to implement a 307 redirect. The tactic of alternative depends upon your website’s platform (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, custom-built), your technical experience, the instruments you are comfy with, and your particular objectives for the momentary redirect.
Listed here are the three most typical strategies:
1. Enhancing the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is a configuration file primarily utilized by Apache net servers.
This file instructs your server how to reply to numerous eventualities, together with redirects.
You may implement a 307 redirect by modifying this file.
Amongst different advantages, the .htaccess file provides you centralized management. You may conveniently handle all of your redirects from this single file. Various strategies require organising every redirect individually.
Log in to your web site’s internet hosting account. Then navigate to the foundation listing, which is your web site’s major folder.
For instance: If Bluehost is your hosting supplier, your root listing will look one thing like this:
Find the .htaccess file contained in the “public_html” folder. Open it to edit.
Now do the next:
- Examine if “RewriteEngine” is on. You may see a line within the file that claims RewriteEngine On. (See the screenshot under) If it isn’t there, it’s good to add it.
- Add the next code on the finish of the .htaccess file:
Redirect 307 /oldpage.html /newpage.html
Be sure to change /oldpage.html with the trail of the web page you are redirecting from and /newpage.html with the vacation spot web page’s path.
Save the file. And check to see whether or not the redirect is working correctly.
In case you are utilizing a server kind aside from Apache (e.g., Nginx or IIS), the method is completely different. However the precept stays the identical: You may have to edit a configuration file particular to that server.
Be sure to verify your server’s documentation or search professional recommendation.
2. Plugins
Does your website use a content material administration system (CMS) akin to WordPress? Then implementing a 307 redirect is straightforward through a plugin.
Merely seek for a redirection plugin in your CMS’s plugin retailer or on third-party platforms.
Set up and activate the plugin. Then observe its directions.
Let’s take WordPress for example.
The Redirection plugin is a well-liked free resolution for dealing with your redirects.
Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Click on “Plugins” within the sidebar, seek for “redirection,” and activate it.
Then head to “Instruments” > “Redirection” to open the plugin.
Now enter your 307 redirect guidelines.
Additional studying: How you can Redirect URLs on WordPress
3. Programming Languages
Programming languages provide a extra hands-on method to organising redirects.
This methodology is right if you’d like direct management over how and when redirects occur. Programming languages allow you to redirect customers based mostly on particular actions they take or particulars they supply.
Additionally they enable for quicker and extra built-in setups with out the necessity for added instruments or plugins.
PHP and JavaScript are two in style languages. Right here’s how you should use them to implement 307 redirects:
Redirects in PHP
PHP is a server-side scripting language generally utilized in net improvement.
To arrange a 307 redirect utilizing PHP, use the “header()” perform to ship a location header to the browser, instructing it to redirect to a brand new URL.
Open the PHP file from which you need to redirect.
On the high, earlier than any content material, insert:
<?php
header("Location: /new-url/", true, 307);
exit;
?>
Exchange /new-url/ along with your desired vacation spot.
Save the file and check the redirect by accessing the unique web page.
Redirects in JavaScript
JavaScript is a client-side scripting language.
Establishing redirects in JavaScript is not as Web optimization-friendly as server-side strategies.
The redirects happen solely after the web page begins loading, thereby inflicting a delay. And never all search engines like google and yahoo execute JavaScript or achieve this constantly.
Discover the HTML file of the web page you want to redirect.
Within the <head> part of your HTML file, ideally above “</head>.”
Insert the next script:
<script kind="textual content/javascript">
window.location.change("/newpath/");
</script>
Exchange “newpath” along with your desired vacation spot URL. For instance, if you wish to redirect to a web page with the URL https://yourwebsite.com/about-us, you’d change /newpath/ with /about-us/.)
Save your adjustments to the HTML file. Then check the redirect by accessing the unique web page.
Now that you recognize some methods to implement a 307 redirect, when is it needed?
When to Use a 307 Redirect
Web site Upkeep
Use a 307 redirect for pages which are unavailable for a restricted time on account of updates or upkeep. In any other case, guests will see an error message.
Merely take away the redirect as soon as the upkeep is full.
A/B Testing
Suppose you’ve got redesigned your touchdown web page. And also you need to see if it engages your viewers higher than the present model.
For this experiment, you may resolve that for a restricted time, all incoming visitors to the unique web page needs to be redirected to the brand new design utilizing a 307 redirect.
Throughout this era, all guests will expertise the brand new design.
As soon as your A/B check is over, you may make the brand new design everlasting based mostly on optimistic outcomes. Or revert to the unique structure if it proves simpler.
Short-term Content material Relocation
Suppose you’ve got hosted a weeklong on-line occasion with a devoted touchdown web page. After the occasion, you want time to research engagement and collect suggestions.
Throughout this interim evaluation section, you don’t need guests to entry the occasion web page instantly.
You may quickly divert guests to a associated abstract web page utilizing a 307 redirect.
When you’re able to showcase the occasion’s outcomes, highlights, or any post-event content material, you may take away the 307 redirect, permitting guests to entry the up to date occasion web page.
Transitioning Between HTTP and HTTPS
If you safe your web site by transferring from HTTP to HTTPS, you may use the HSTS function.
HSTS tells browsers to all the time use HTTPS as an alternative of HTTP.
If a person tries to entry the HTTP model of your website, the browser will robotically use an inner 307 redirect to take them to the safe HTTPS model.
This ensures an encrypted connection, defending their knowledge.
When To not Use a 307 Redirect
For Everlasting URL Modifications
Should you’ve completely moved a web page to a brand new URL, a 307 momentary redirect is not proper.
As an alternative, you must use a 301 everlasting redirect to sign the change to search engines like google and yahoo.
You should use Semrush’s Web site Audit instrument to establish pages in your web site with 307 redirects. After which change them to 301 if these pages have been completely moved.
Open the instrument, enter your area, and click on “Begin Audit.”
As soon as the audit is full, open the “Overview” report and search for the “Crawled Pages” widget. Click on on the variety of “Redirects.”
Assessment all of the URLs with a 307 standing code. If any of those pages have been completely moved, implement 301 redirects. Confer with our information on organising 301 redirects utilizing an .htaccess file.
You can too apply an HTTP Standing filter to this report back to see solely pages with a “3xx momentary” standing code.
For Bulk Redirects
Should you’re restructuring your complete web site or altering its area, utilizing particular person 307 redirects for every web page will be inefficient and should decelerate your website’s loading time.
From an Web optimization perspective, extreme particular person redirects can confuse search engine crawlers, probably impacting your website’s rankings.
As an alternative of individually redirecting every web page, it is extra environment friendly to make use of “wildcards” or “pattern-based redirects.”
These shortcuts mean you can redirect a number of related URLs through a single rule.
For instance, you should use the sample “/weblog/*” to redirect all pages beneath the “/weblog/” listing to a brand new location.
Web optimization Implications of 307 Redirects
Now that you recognize when and when to not use a 307 redirect, you must also concentrate on its Web optimization implications. Here is a fast breakdown:
- How hyperlink juice transfers: 307 redirects could quickly move on the unique web page’s Web optimization worth to the redirected one. However as a result of it is a momentary redirect, search engines like google and yahoo count on the unique URL to be accessible once more sooner or later. Because of this, the Web optimization worth is not transferred completely.
- How 307 and 302 redirects are handled by search engines like google and yahoo: Each are momentary redirects, and their Web optimization impression is analogous. The important thing distinction is in how they deal with browser requests—not of their switch of Web optimization worth.
When utilizing 307 redirects, be sure you contemplate their potential impression on Web optimization. Managing them appropriately will keep away from errors and assist preserve the SERP rankings of your URL.
Greatest Practices for 307 Redirects
There’s so much to think about when dealing with 307 redirects. Observe these greatest practices to make sure optimum outcomes:
Check All Redirects
After organising a 307 redirect, all the time check it to make sure it is working as supposed.
To take action, merely go to the previous URL and verify whether or not it easily redirects to the specified new location.
Monitor Redirect Efficiency
Frequently verify the efficiency of your redirects. You should use analytics to observe how customers are interacting with redirected pages.
Should you discover any anomalies or elevated bounce charges, it is likely to be time to re-evaluate your redirect technique.
Assessment and Replace
As your web site evolves, some 307 redirects could not be needed.
Periodically overview your 307 standing code to verify for errors (also known as a “307 error code” when the redirect is not working appropriately). And repair them—both by updating or eradicating them.
Restrict Redirect Chains
Keep away from creating chains of redirects (e.g., Web page A redirects to Web page B, which then redirects to Web page C, and so forth).
This may sluggish the web page’s loading time and create a poor person expertise. Goal for direct, one-step redirects each time attainable.
You should use Semrush’s Web site Audit instrument to establish redirect chains that want fixing. Audit your web site. Then head to the “Points” tab of your report.
You’ll now see all the problems Semrush discovered in your web site. Together with any “redirect chains and loops.”
Assessment and repair the problem. Goal to have every hyperlink redirected solely as soon as.
Hold Consumer Expertise in Thoughts
If a redirect results in a web page that is not related or does not meet the person’s expectations, it could possibly trigger dissatisfaction.
So all the time contemplate the person’s perspective. Make sure that your redirects result in related, high-quality content material.
Keep away from Frequent URL Modifications
Utilizing 307 redirects continuously on the identical URL can ship combined alerts to search engines like google and yahoo.
When search engines like google and yahoo detect {that a} specific URL’s vacation spot is continuously altering, they could change into unsure concerning the stability and relevance of that content material.
Because of this, the search engine won’t rank the content material extremely.
So use redirects judiciously. And make sure that content material stays constant for optimum search efficiency.
Prioritize Safety
Should you’re utilizing redirects as a part of a transition to HTTPS, make sure that all points of your website are safe. This prevents “combined content material” vulnerabilities.
What do you have to do?
Examine whether or not your website’s exterior sources, plugins, and scripts are appropriate with HTTPS. If not, change them.
Doc Your Redirects
Hold observe of your lively redirects to assist with future troubleshooting and to maintain future web site managers knowledgeable.
How you can Repair 307 Short-term Redirect Points
It’s simple to implement a 307 redirect. Nevertheless, you should still face sure points or misconfigurations. Listed here are some frequent options:
Examine Server Configuration
Checking your server configuration helps you guarantee all redirect guidelines are functioning as supposed.
For instance, suppose you needed to arrange a redirect for an previous product web page to a brand new one. Should you mistakenly set the rule to redirect customers to a web page that not exists or to an unrelated part of your website, guests will encounter errors or confusion.
To keep away from such errors, often overview the redirect guidelines in your server settings. Be sure they’re pointing to the right locations. These settings are usually accessible and adjustable in your internet hosting supplier’s management panel.
Assessment Server Logs
Inspecting server logs may also help you establish the foundation causes of sudden 307 redirects. By analyzing these logs, you may:
- Decide which URLs are continuously inflicting redirects. This may also help if sure pages are misconfigured or if there’s an error within the redirect guidelines.
- Spot any sudden configurations or adjustments that may have triggered the redirect. That is particularly helpful if there’s been a current replace or if a number of folks have entry to your server settings.
- Acknowledge patterns of person habits or particular occasions resulting in the redirect, akin to type submissions or the accessing of outdated hyperlinks.
As soon as you’ve got recognized the foundation causes, you may take the required steps to repair the problems.
Different Fixes
- Make sure that the URLs arrange for redirects are appropriately configured. A misconfigured URL in your redirect guidelines can result in sudden habits.
- In case your web site has caching mechanisms in place, make sure that they don’t seem to be caching outdated redirects. You may have to clear or replace server-side caches.
- Should you’re utilizing a CMS or a selected net platform, verify its documentation. Some platforms may need anomalies in how they deal with redirects, or there is likely to be recognized points with sure plugins or configurations inflicting sudden 307 redirects.
- Should you’re going through complicated redirect loops, a number of redirects chaining collectively, or different eventualities which you can’t resolve, contemplate searching for assist from an online developer or server professional
Use 307 Redirects the Proper Method
Now that you just perceive what a 307 redirect is, the way it works, and tips on how to implement it, let’s get to work.
Audit your web site utilizing a instrument like Web site Audit, and get a full report on all of your redirects.
Assessment the URLs with the 307 standing code. And decide:
- Are they appropriately used and pointing to the suitable vacation spot?
- Do they want an replace to a special HTTP standing code?
- Are there any dangerous redirect configurations, like chain redirects?
- Do you have to take away the redirect?
Primarily based in your evaluation, make adjustments accordingly.