HTTP 302 Found vs 451 Unavailable For Legal Reasons
HTTP 302 (Found) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 451 (Unavailable For Legal Reasons) is a 4xx Client Error response. 302 indicates that the resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests. In contrast, 451 means that the server is denying access to the resource as a consequence of a legal demand. Named after Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.
Description
The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
When You See It
During A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
How to Fix
Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect.
Description
The server is denying access to the resource as a consequence of a legal demand. Named after Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.
When You See It
When content is blocked due to court orders, GDPR requests, or government censorship.
How to Fix
No technical fix. The block is legally mandated. Contact the site operator for details.
Key Differences
302 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 451 is a 4xx Client Error response.
HTTP 302: The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. The client should continue using the original URL for future requests.
HTTP 451: The server is denying access to the resource as a consequence of a legal demand. Named after Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.
You encounter 302 when during A/B testing, temporary maintenance pages, or geo-based redirects.
You encounter 451 when when content is blocked due to court orders, GDPR requests, or government censorship.
When to Use Which
For 302 (Found): Follow the Location header. Note: browsers may change POST to GET on redirect. For 451 (Unavailable For Legal Reasons): No technical fix. The block is legally mandated. Contact the site operator for details.