307 Redirect: What it is & how to use it

Website visitors typically have a goal in mind – they want to read the latest article on your blog, shop for a specific product, etc. Knowing the right URL plays an important role in reaching these pages quickly. But, sometimes, you may need to temporarily move pages to a different domain or URL. This is where URL redirections come into play. These HTTP status codes help you deliver a smooth user experience.

The 307 redirect is one of the most important among these. It’s a temporary redirect that plays an important role when you are updating content on your website or working on site maintenance. It keeps users from seeing an error message if they land on pages that are being worked on.

A 307 redirect is a useful tool but if mismanaged, it could degrade your user experience and affect SEO rankings. So, before you start using it, let’s get to know more about it:

What is a 307 redirect?

There are numerous HTTP status codes that may be used to redirect users from one web location to another. The 3XX codes are indicative of web pages that may have moved permanently or temporarily.

A 307 status code is a temporary redirect indicating that the URL requested has been temporarily moved to a different URL. It will later be back at its original location.

What is the difference between a 302 redirect and a 307 redirect?

Both 302 and 307 redirects are used when the user needs to be redirected to a different URL temporarily. The key difference between them lies in how search engines treat the redirect request. In the case of a 302 redirect, the browser will always produce a GET request irrespective of the initial request. On the other hand, a 307 redirect maintains the same HTTP method.

Some of the other commonly used 3XX redirects are:

  • 301: This is a permanent redirect used when migrating a page to a new URL.
  • 303: This is a redirect code that can be used to redirect visitors to an informative resource about the object of the first URL, when no representation of this object is available.
  • 308: This is a permanent redirect like the 301 redirect.

How does a 307 redirect work?

A 307 redirect retains the original request method without making any modifications. When a user enters a URL in their web browser, the browser sends an HTTP request to the server. The server responds with a 307 status code informing the web browser that the page being searched for has been temporarily relocated. The message also includes a new ‘Location’ header with the URL where the requested information can be found.

The browser follows up by initiating a new request to the URL specified in the ‘Location’ header. This may be in the original POST, DELETE, PUT request or GET request. The server at the new location will process this request and display the content as designed on the new URL.

When to use a 307 redirect?

As mentioned above, a 307 status code is a temporary redirect. This can be used in situations when content has been temporarily moved to a new URL before it is brought back to its original address. Some of the instances when it may be a good idea to use a 307 redirect include:

  • When you need to update content on a web page
  • When you are migrating the page to a different Content Management System (CMS)
  • When you are performing maintenance tasks on the webpages
  • When you are switching domain names

From an SEO standpoint, it is often advised to use 307 status codes sparingly, especially if you are unsure of the quality of the redirect. The technology used plays a role too. Redirection.io users, for example, can set up multiple 307 redirects without any fear of slowing the website down.

If the content is being moved to a new location permanently, it may be better to use a 301 or 308 redirect.

How to make a 307 redirect?

There are two main processes that may be used to implement a 307 redirect.

Edit the .htaccess file

The .htaccess file is a configuration file that tells your server how to respond to different scenarios. This gives you centralized control over all redirects. The exact process may vary a little based on the server being used. The process of editing this file on a website hosted by WordPress would involve the following steps:

  1. Step 1: Log in to the hosting account for your website
  2. Step 2: Open the .htaccess file from the public_html folder in the root directory
  3. Step 3: Check that the RewriteEngine is on.
  4. Step 4: Add code such as Redirect 307 /oldpage.html /newpage.html. Here oldpage.html refers to the original website address and newpage.html refers to the redirected destination.

It may sound simple but it can get complicated if the website responsible uses regular expressions or patterns to redirect several pages at once. Mistakes in the .htaccess file can cause problems with the loading of your website so proceed with caution. It would be wise to create a backup before you start editing any code.

Use third-party solution

There are many drawbacks to creating redirects through a .htaccess file edit. The process can be very complicated, errors are easy to make and hard to spot and testing the code without publishing it is very difficult.

Using a partner for redirections is a much simpler way to implement a 307 redirect code.

Redirection.io lets you manage your redirects easily, safely and efficiently. By giving you examples and markers, it makes the process much simpler. All you need to do is:

  1. Step 1: Enter the source URL and the target URL.
  2. Step 2: Test the redirect rule using the ”Impact” analysis
  3. Step 3: Publish the redirect

How does a 307 redirect affect SEO ranking?

When used temporarily, a 307 redirect should not have a negative effect on your website SEO ranking. That said, its impact depends on the use case and how it is implemented. Here are a few points to keep in mind about how implementing 307 redirects could influence SEO.

Using 307 redirects for long-term should be avoided

307 redirects should only be used in instances where you know the content will be brought back to the original URL within a short time. Long-term or permanent usage of a 307 redirect can lower your SEO rankings.

307 redirect chains should be limited

If you use multiple redirect codes in a series, it could affect website performance and, in turn, SEO. Wherever possible, redirect chains should be avoided. In cases where they are required, design redirect chains with as few hops as possible.

It maintains link equity

A 307 redirect preserves link equity. This means that the SEO value associated with the original website URL is not transferred to the new location.

Link performance must be monitored regularly

When you implement any type of permanent or temporary redirect, you must keep a close eye on website performance. The faster you react to the slowing down of website performance, the better you will be able to limit its effect.

How does a website visitor experience a 307 redirect?

A website visitor may or may not realize that they are being redirected to a new URL. Typically, it takes mere seconds for a website visitor to be redirected from one URL to another. Be assured, a 307 redirect, when implemented properly won’t affect user experience.

The best way to manage your redirections

Delivering a smooth customer experience is a priority for all brands. Redirection codes like the 307 redirect can help you achieve this. But, the slightest mistake in coding these redirections can have the opposite effect. It is also quite difficult to test redirects before they are published. Unless you are a professional coder with sufficient experience, avoid getting into the nitty gritty of coding.

It’s much simpler to use a software solution. Redirection.io gives you a quick and easy way to implement 307 redirects whenever required. In addition, the impact preview feature allows you to test a redirect before it is published. Once these codes are live, you can easily track usage and manage them.

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