308 Permanent Redirect: What It Is and Why You Need It

What is a 308 Permanent Redirect?

A 308 permanent redirect is an HTTP status code that signals to browsers and search engines that a page has moved permanently to a new location. Unlike temporary redirects, the 308 indicates that all future requests should go directly to the new URL. It’s essentially telling visitors and search engines, “This content has permanently moved house. Please update your address book.”

The 308 status code was officially added to HTTP standards more recently than the well-known 301 redirect, making it an important but sometimes overlooked tool in your website management arsenal.

308 vs. 301 Redirects: Key Differences That Impact Your Website

While both 308 and 301 redirects signal permanent moves, there are subtle but important differences that can affect your website’s functionality and user experience.

The key distinction lies in how these redirects handle the HTTP method. When a form submission or other POST request encounters a 301 redirect, browsers might convert it to a GET request, potentially losing form data in the process. A 308 redirect, however, preserves the original HTTP method, ensuring that POST requests remain POST requests after redirection.

For marketers handling websites with forms or e-commerce functionality, this technical distinction can make a significant difference in user experience and data integrity.

SEO Impact of 308 Redirects: Preserving Your Search Rankings

When it comes to SEO, 308 redirects function similarly to 301 redirects. Both transfer approximately 90-99% of link equity from the old URL to the new one, helping maintain your search rankings during URL changes.

The primary SEO benefits of implementing 308 redirects include:

• Maintaining search engine rankings when URLs change
• Preserving backlink value from external sites
• Providing clear signals to search engines about site structure changes
• Reducing the occurrence of 404 errors that can negatively impact user experience
• Helping search engines properly index your new content locations

For marketing professionals managing website migrations or restructuring, proper redirect implementation can be the difference between maintaining your hard-earned SEO progress or watching your rankings plummet.

How to Implement 308 Redirects Correctly

Implementing 308 redirects requires a bit of technical know-how, but the process varies depending on your server setup. Here are the most common implementation methods:

Apache Server Implementation

For websites running on Apache servers, you’ll typically use the .htaccess file to implement 308 redirects. Here’s a basic example:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^oldsite.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.oldsite.com$
RewriteRule (.*)$ https://www.newsite.com/$1 [R=308,L]

Nginx Server Implementation

For Nginx servers, you’ll add the redirect to your server block configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name oldsite.com www.oldsite.com;
    return 308 $scheme://www.newsite.com$request_uri;
}

JavaScript Implementation

While not recommended as the primary method for SEO purposes, you can also use JavaScript:

// Note: This method is not ideal for SEO
window.location.replace('https://www.newsite.com/new-page');

Remember that server-side redirects (Apache and Nginx methods) are preferable for SEO purposes as they ensure search engines properly understand and follow the redirect.

Practical Use Cases for 308 Redirects

308 redirects shine in specific scenarios where maintaining the HTTP method is crucial. Here are some practical situations where 308 redirects prove particularly valuable:

• E-commerce Platform Migrations: Preserving form submissions and checkout processes
• API Endpoint Changes: Maintaining POST data integrity when API URLs change
• Form-Heavy Websites: Ensuring user-submitted data doesn’t get lost during redirection
• Domain Name Changes: When migrating to a new domain while maintaining the same functionality
• Content Reorganization: When restructuring websites with user interaction components

Consider the case of an e-commerce site migrating to a new platform. Using 308 redirects can ensure that customers in the middle of checkout processes don’t lose their cart data, providing a seamless experience despite the backend changes.

Best Practices for Implementing a Comprehensive Redirect Strategy

A well-planned redirect strategy involves more than just choosing between 301 and 308 codes. Follow these best practices to ensure optimal results:

1. Audit Your Current URLs: Before implementing redirects, create a complete inventory of existing URLs, particularly those receiving traffic or backlinks.
2. Map Redirects Logically: Each old URL should redirect to the most relevant new URL, preserving user intent and content relevance.
3. Avoid Redirect Chains: Multiple redirects in sequence slow down page loads and can dilute link equity. Aim for direct redirects from old to final destination.
4. Test Before Full Implementation: Verify redirects work as expected in a staging environment before going live.
5. Monitor After Implementation: Watch for 404 errors, crawling issues, and traffic changes after redirects are implemented.
6. Update Internal Links: While redirects will work, it’s best to update internal links to point directly to new URLs.
7. Communicate Changes to Search Engines: Submit updated sitemaps and use Google Search Console to inform search engines about your changes.

By approaching redirects strategically, you’ll maintain both user experience and search visibility during site changes.

Common Redirect Mistakes That Hurt Your SEO

Even experienced marketers can fall into these redirect traps. Avoid these common mistakes to protect your SEO performance:

• Using Temporary Redirects for Permanent Changes: Temporary redirects (302, 307) don’t pass full link equity and can confuse search engines if used for permanent moves.
• Redirect Chains: When URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects to URL C, you create a chain that slows down your site and dilutes link equity.
• Redirecting All Old URLs to the Homepage: This creates a poor user experience and doesn’t maintain the topical relevance search engines expect.
• Not Preserving URL Parameters: Important tracking or functionality parameters can be lost in poorly implemented redirects.
• Redirecting to 404 Pages: Always ensure your redirect destinations actually exist.
• Failing to Update Internal Links: While redirects handle external traffic, updated internal links improve site performance and user experience.

Building awareness of these potential issues can help you implement a more effective redirect strategy that preserves both user experience and search visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About 308 Redirects