HTTP 301 Moved Permanently vs 500 Internal Server Error
HTTP 301 (Moved Permanently) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 500 (Internal Server Error) is a 5xx Server 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, 500 means that the server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
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 server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
When You See It
When an unhandled exception occurs, a database connection fails, or server code has a bug.
How to Fix
Check server logs for the stack trace. Common causes: unhandled exceptions, database errors, misconfigurations.
Key Differences
301 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 500 is a 5xx Server 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 500: The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request. A generic catch-all for server-side errors.
You encounter 301 when after domain migrations, URL restructuring, or when consolidating duplicate URLs.
You encounter 500 when when an unhandled exception occurs, a database connection fails, or server code has a bug.
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 500 (Internal Server Error): Check server logs for the stack trace. Common causes: unhandled exceptions, database errors, misconfigurations.