Redirects send users and search engines from one URL to another automatically.
For example, when you try to visit
https://backlinko.com/hub/youtube/position
(which has a redirect) it will take you to
https://backlinko.com/hub/youtube/positioning
instead.
Redirects guide users and search engines from outdated URLs to current, relevant content.
This improves the user experience. Preserves your hard-earned backlinks. And helps search engines crawl and index your site more efficiently.
Bottom line: Redirects can help you manage your website structure and improve your SEO.
When you use them correctly, that is.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What redirects are
- How to implement redirects the right way
- Best practices for using redirects
When to Use Redirects
Websites change and grow. And if you have a website, there’ll likely come a time when you’ll need to add a redirect.
Let’s look at some examples of when you might need them.
Moving a Website (Site Migration)
Site migrations typically require redirects, particularly in the following situations:
Changing Domain Names
If you’re switching from www.oldsite.com to …