A 302 redirect is a temporary redirect that forwards users and search engines from one URL to another. The “302” refers to the HTTP status code returned by the server, signalling that the move is temporary and that the original URL is expected to return at some point.
Unlike a 301 redirect, a 302 tells search engines to keep the original URL indexed, as the change is not permanent. For this reason, link equity is generally retained on the original URL rather than being passed to the destination.
Common use cases include:
- Redirecting users to a temporary landing page (such as a sale or seasonal promotion)
- Sending traffic to an alternative page while the original is undergoing maintenance
- A/B testing, where users are temporarily directed to a variant page
While 302 redirects have their place, they are often misused. If you intend for a URL change to be permanent, always use a 301 redirect instead. Using a 302 when you mean a 301 can result in the original page retaining its index position while the new page fails to build authority, which can cause confusion for search engines and negatively impact your rankings over time.
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