What is a redirect?

A redirect is a server-side instruction that automatically sends users and search engines from one URL to another. Redirects are essential when you change URLs, restructure your site, or move content — they preserve ranking signals and prevent broken links. Quick facts - 301 redirect: permanent — passes ~90-99% of link equity to the new URL - 302 redirect: temporary — does not pass full link equity, signals the change is not permanent - Redirect chains (multiple sequential redirects) slow crawling and dilute link equity - In Wix, redirects are managed via Marketing & SEO → SEO Tools → URL Redirect Manager Related terms: Canonical URL · Technical SEO · Indexing · Page speed · Backlinks How does a redirect work? When a user or bot requests the old URL, the server responds with a status code (301 or 302) and the new URL. The browser or bot then loads the new URL. A 301 tells Google the move is permanent and to transfer ranking signals to the new destination. FAQ When should I use a 301 vs 302 redirect? Use 301 for permanent URL changes — page renamed, site restructured, domain migration. Use 302 for temporary situations — A/B tests, seasonal pages, maintenance pages. When in doubt, 301 is the safer choice. Do redirects lose PageRank? 301 redirects pass approximately 90-99% of link equity. Some small loss is inevitable. Redirect chains (A → B → C) compound the loss — always redirect directly to the final URL. How do I set up redirects in Wix? Go to Marketing & SEO → SEO Tools → URL Redirect Manager. Add the old URL (relative path) and the destination URL. Wix handles the 301 redirect automatically. Want a redirect audit to clean up broken links and chains on your Wix site? Request your free SEO scan at we-optimizz.com/free-seo-scan.