Which HTTP status code is commonly used to indicate a permanent redirect?

Which HTTP status code is commonly used to indicate a permanent redirect?

• A. 200
• B. 301
• C. 302
• D. 307

Answer: (B)

Redirect status codes convey whether a resource has moved and whether that move is permanent or temporary. When a resource has moved permanently, the server uses a response that signals permanent relocation, guiding clients, proxies, and search engines to update references and caches to the new URL. This ensures future requests go to the new location and that search engines transfer signals like page rankings to the new address. Temporary redirects, by contrast, indicate a short-term move; the old URL remains valid for future requests, so caches and SEO signals aren’t treated as permanent changes. A plain successful response means the resource is delivered at the requested URL with no redirection. In this context, the status that signals a permanent redirect is the one indicating “Moved Permanently,” which is why it’s used when you want long-term change and consistent redirection behavior.

Redirect status codes convey whether a resource has moved and whether that move is permanent or temporary. When a resource has moved permanently, the server uses a response that signals permanent relocation, guiding clients, proxies, and search engines to update references and caches to the new URL. This ensures future requests go to the new location and that search engines transfer signals like page rankings to the new address. Temporary redirects, by contrast, indicate a short-term move; the old URL remains valid for future requests, so caches and SEO signals aren’t treated as permanent changes. A plain successful response means the resource is delivered at the requested URL with no redirection. In this context, the status that signals a permanent redirect is the one indicating “Moved Permanently,” which is why it’s used when you want long-term change and consistent redirection behavior.