HTTP 301 Moved Permanently vs 506 Variant Also Negotiates
HTTP 301 (Moved Permanently) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 506 (Variant Also Negotiates) 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, 506 means that the server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
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 has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
When You See It
Rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
How to Fix
Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.
Key Differences
301 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 506 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 506: The server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
You encounter 301 when after domain migrations, URL restructuring, or when consolidating duplicate URLs.
You encounter 506 when rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
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 506 (Variant Also Negotiates): Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.