HTTP 301 Moved Permanently vs 410 Gone
HTTP 301 (Moved Permanently) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 410 (Gone) is a 4xx Client Error response. 301 indicates 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. In contrast, 410 means that the resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent.
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.
Description
The resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent.
When You See It
When a resource has been deliberately removed and should be de-indexed by search engines.
How to Fix
Remove references to this URL. Search engines will de-index the page.
Key Differences
301 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 410 is a 4xx Client Error response.
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.
HTTP 410: The resource is permanently gone and will not be available again. Unlike 404, this is intentional and permanent.
You encounter 301 when after domain migrations, URL restructuring, or when consolidating duplicate URLs.
You encounter 410 when when a resource has been deliberately removed and should be de-indexed by search engines.
When to Use Which
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. For 410 (Gone): Remove references to this URL. Search engines will de-index the page.