What is a 307 Redirect?
An HTTP 307 temporary redirect status code implies that the requested resource has been temporarily moved from its prime location to the URL indicated by the Location header, allowing the browser to move to the target location.
Understanding the 3xx Status Codes
The 3xx redirection status codes indicate that the request’s completion will require further action. These redirects are usually not a matter of concern as redirects imply that a request has been received; however, a tangible resource couldn’t have been found.
302, 303, and 307 Redirects: What’s the Difference?
302 redirect implies: Usually followed by a target URL that the browsers and servers interpret as redirects. If there is no target URL, the redirect will not show an error but will stay in its place instead.
303 Redirect: Redirection response indicates that a requested resource has been shifted to a new location.
307 HTTP response status code: indicates that the requested URL has temporarily moved to a User Resource Identifier (a URI) and can return to its original location.
307 Temporary Redirect vs. 307 Internal Redirect
A 307 temporary redirect issues instruction to the browsers to temporarily redirect the traffic by switching one URL with a different URL. This redirect comes from the server and is a short-term measure.
On the other hand, a 307 internal redirect is initiated by the browser with the intention of directing visitors away from the (potentially old and outdated) HTTP version of the website to a safer HTTPS (thus the “S” denoting “secure”) version.
When to Use a 307 Redirect
- Site maintenance activities to ensure the website offers a better user experience.
- A/B testing to find the best-performing version of a webpage.
- Temporary content relocation to a new web page for SEO or other reasons.
How To Implement a 307 Redirect
- Editing the .htaccess File: It instructs the servers about the response they must present when encountering tricky situations, including redirects.
- Plugins: They effectively manage redirects with simple 307 redirect rules.
- Programming Languages: PHP and JavaScript are used to implement the 307 redirect, which works by inserting a code.
How does a 307 redirect affect SEO ranking?
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- Using 307 redirects for the long term should be avoided:
If you have permanently moved a web page to a new URL, using a 307 temporary redirect can be misleading and will not redirect the user to the new page. It is better to use a 301 permanent redirect to indicate to search engines that the web page now has a new location.
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- 307 redirect chains should be limited:
A chain of redirects can slow down a page’s loading time and will eventually hamper the user experience.
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- It maintains link equity:
The status code informs the browsers and the search engines about the change in the temporary URL without causing any disturbances in traffic and rankings by redirecting users to the updated permanent URL.
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- Link performance must be monitored regularly:
Monitoring redirects on a frequent basis ensures no unnecessary redirect status codes are implemented that can hamper user experience on the website.
Using 307 redirects to your advantage
307 redirects should be used only when they are required to avoid diluting user experience. Be sure to monitor your redirects to ensure they are pointing to the correct destination, the HTTP status code is functioning, and any potential lousy redirect configurations are promptly addressed.
307 redirects can be confusing and hurt user experience, hampering your website’s ranking on SERP. Here is everything to know about these redirects. Read now!