HTTP 200 OK vs 301 Moved Permanently
HTTP 200 (OK) is a 2xx Success response, while 301 (Moved Permanently) is a 3xx Redirection response. 200 indicates that the request succeeded. The meaning depends on the HTTP method: GET returns the resource, POST reports the action result, HEAD returns headers only. In contrast, 301 means that the resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. All future requests should use the new URL. Search engines will transfer link equity to the new URL.
Description
The request succeeded. The meaning depends on the HTTP method: GET returns the resource, POST reports the action result, HEAD returns headers only.
When You See It
The most common HTTP response — indicates the request was processed successfully.
How to Fix
No fix needed. The request succeeded as expected.
Description
The resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. All future requests should use the new URL. Search engines will transfer link equity to the new URL.
When You See It
After domain migrations, URL restructuring, or when consolidating duplicate URLs.
How to Fix
Update links and bookmarks to the new URL in the Location header. For SEO, this is the preferred redirect for permanent moves.
Key Differences
200 is a 2xx Success response, while 301 is a 3xx Redirection response.
HTTP 200: The request succeeded. The meaning depends on the HTTP method: GET returns the resource, POST reports the action result, HEAD returns headers only.
HTTP 301: The resource has been permanently moved to a new URL. All future requests should use the new URL. Search engines will transfer link equity to the new URL.
You encounter 200 when the most common HTTP response — indicates the request was processed successfully.
You encounter 301 when after domain migrations, URL restructuring, or when consolidating duplicate URLs.
When to Use Which
For 200 (OK): No fix needed. The request succeeded as expected. For 301 (Moved Permanently): Update links and bookmarks to the new URL in the Location header. For SEO, this is the preferred redirect for permanent moves.