What is 302 redirect?

A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect that sends users to a different URL while telling search engines the move is provisional, so the original URL should stay indexed and keep its ranking signals.

How it works

A 302 is appropriate when a redirect is genuinely temporary: A/B tests, short-term promotions, geographic or device routing, or a page that is briefly down. Engines keep the original indexed and do not transfer authority to the temporary target.

Problems arise when 302s are used by default, often a server or CMS misconfiguration, for changes that are actually permanent. Engines may eventually treat a long-lived 302 as a 301, but that ambiguity costs time and signal clarity.

302 vs 301

The difference is permanence and where signals end up. A 301 says this move is final, consolidate onto the new URL; a 302 says this is temporary, keep the old URL. Choosing the wrong one either strands authority on a dead URL or fails to consolidate it where you want it.

Why it matters for B2B

For AI citation stability you almost always want 301s, not 302s, for real moves, because a 302 keeps the engine pointed at a URL you intend to abandon. The practical rule when restructuring the glossary: temporary routing gets a 302, but any permanent path change gets a 301, so signals and citations follow the content to its lasting home.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 302 redirect?

A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect that sends users to a different URL while telling search engines the move is provisional, so the original URL stays indexed and keeps its signals.

When should you use a 302 redirect?

Use a 302 only when the redirect is genuinely temporary: A/B tests, short promotions, brief maintenance, or device and geo routing. For any permanent move, use a 301 instead.

What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?

A 301 is permanent and consolidates ranking signals onto the new URL; a 302 is temporary and keeps the original URL indexed. Using a 302 for a permanent move delays signal transfer.

How do you change a 302 redirect to a 301?

Update the redirect rule in your server config, CMS, or CDN to return a 301 status instead of 302, then confirm the new status code with a redirect checker or your logs.