302 Redirect

A temporary HTTP redirect where Google typically keeps the original URL indexed rather than the destination.

HTTP 302 (Found / Temporary Redirect) tells both browsers and search engines that the resource has moved temporarily. Google interprets this as: the original URL is the canonical version and should remain indexed. Link equity does not reliably transfer with a 302 the way it does with a 301.

Legitimate SEO uses for 302: A/B test variants (so the original URL stays indexed), seasonal promotions (the original product page URL should remain canonical), redirecting to a login page when unauthenticated (original URL keeps its ranking for when the user logs in), and short-term maintenance redirects.

The most common 302 mistake is using it for permanent changes. If you migrate a domain, change URL structure, or merge content permanently, use 301. Using 302 in these situations will cause Google to keep crawling and indexing your old URLs and prevents link equity consolidation.