What it means
The URL has permanently moved to a new location given in the Location header. Redirection responses tell the client to request a different URL.
Common causes
Site migration, HTTP to HTTPS or www redirects.
How to fix it
Make sure redirects point straight to the final URL (avoid chains) and update internal links.
If you are a visitor
Nothing is wrong. Your browser handles this response automatically.
If you own the site
Browsers follow redirects automatically, up to a limit. Check for loops. Permanent redirects (301, 308) pass ranking signals to the new URL. Temporary ones (302, 307) tell search engines to keep the old URL. Long chains and loops waste crawl budget. Run the HTTP status checker to see exactly what your URL returns, and use uptime monitoring to be told when it changes.
Frequently asked questions
What does HTTP 301 mean?
Moved Permanently: The URL has permanently moved to a new location given in the Location header.
Is HTTP 301 an error?
No. Redirection responses tell the client to request a different URL.
Does HTTP 301 affect SEO?
Permanent redirects (301, 308) pass ranking signals to the new URL. Temporary ones (302, 307) tell search engines to keep the old URL. Long chains and loops waste crawl budget.
Should I retry after HTTP 301?
Browsers follow redirects automatically, up to a limit. Check for loops.