What is a Redirect?
A redirect is a process by which a web page is directed to a different URL. It is used to forward visitors and search engines to a different page than the one they originally requested. Redirects are commonly used when a website has changed its URL structure or when pages have been moved to new URLs.
Redirects are important for SEO (search engine optimization), as they ensure that search engines are able to index the correct page. Without redirects, search engines would be unable to find the correct page and would instead index the wrong page, resulting in a poor user experience and a drop in rankings.
Redirects also help improve user experience, as they allow visitors to be directed to the correct page, even if they are not aware of the new URL. For example, if a user visits a website and the URL has changed, the user will be automatically redirected to the correct page. This helps ensure that users are not presented with an error page or a blank page.
Another important use of Redirects is preserving link equity, which is the value of incoming links to a website. When a page is moved to a new URL, redirects ensure that the value of the incoming links is preserved, improving rankings and helping the website to rank higher.