301 vs 302 Redirects on Your Cloned Site
When you clone a website with Clonable, you may wonder how redirects are handled. This article explains the difference between 301 and 302 redirects, when each one is used, and why your cloned site now relies on them far less than it used to.
What is a redirect?
A redirect automatically sends a visitor (or a search engine) from one URL to another. On a cloned site, redirects were traditionally used to point visitors to the correct translated version of a page. There are two types you may encounter:
Redirect type | Meaning | Cached in the browser? |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent redirect | Yes |
| Temporary redirect | No |
When does Clonable use 301 or 302?
Clonable decides which redirect to serve based on who is requesting the page.
- Google receives a
301(permanent) redirect. This tells search engines the destination is the definitive URL. - All other visitors receive a
302(temporary) redirect.
301 is cached in the visitor's browser, while a 302 is not.Frequently asked questions
Is fewer redirects a problem for SEO?
No. Fewer redirects generally means a cleaner, faster site. Search engines still receive a 301 where a permanent destination needs to be communicated.
Why is Google treated differently from regular visitors?
Google is given a 301 so it indexes the permanent URL. Regular visitors receive a 302, which is not cached and keeps their browsing flexible.
What does "cached" mean here?
A cached 301 is remembered by the browser, so the redirect is applied automatically on future visits. A 302 is not stored, so it is re-evaluated each time.
Updated on: 20/08/2026
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