Meta Redirect
What is a Meta Redirect?
A meta redirect, also known as a meta refresh redirect, instructs a web browser to navigate automatically to a different webpage after a certain amount of time. Unlike typical 301 or 302 redirects, which happen on the server, a meta redirect is a client-side redirect.
When you encounter a message on a website like:
“You will be redirected to the new page in 5 seconds”
a meta redirect is most likely at work.
Meta redirects are created by incorporating a specific meta element in the HTML of a web page, usually within the <head> section. For instance:
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="7; url=https://ahrefs.com/">
Meta refresh redirects can be both instant and delayed.
content="7... in the given example signifies a redirection delay of 7 seconds.
Modifying this to content="0... will make the redirect instant:
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://ahrefs.com/">
Why are meta redirects important?
Meta redirects can prove useful in a few specific scenarios:
- Temporary redirection: If you need to notify the user about changes or maintenance on a specific page, a meta redirect can be used to guide them to a different page after displaying a brief message.
- Delayed redirection: Sometimes, you might want to give a user time to read a message or notice before redirecting them. For example, “Thank you for your purchase! You will be redirected to the product in 5 seconds.”
- Server access limitations: A meta redirect is a simple client-side method that doesn’t require server-side changes. This can be advantageous if you don’t have access to or control over server configurations.
Do meta redirects negatively affect SEO?
Google recommends using 301 server-side redirects over meta redirects, primarily because not all browsers support the latter, and they can potentially confuse users. However, this doesn’t necessarily imply that meta refresh redirects negatively impact a website’s SEO.
According to Google’s official documentation on redirects, Google Search interprets instant meta refresh redirects as permanent redirects. Conversely, delayed meta refresh redirects are treated as temporary redirects.
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