302 Status Code - Found
In this section you will learn about 302 Status Code, what is it, its components and examples.

What is HTTP Status Code 302 - Found?
The HTTP Status Code 302, labeled as "Found" or sometimes referred to as "Temporary Redirect", is a redirection response status code. It suggests that the resource the client is trying to reach temporarily resides at a different URI. Unlike the 301 Moved Permanently
, which indicates a permanent move, the 302 Found
status communicates a temporary redirection, implying that clients should continue using the original URI for future requests.
Understanding 302 Found
Temporary Redirection: The
302 Found
status code communicates that the resource the client is seeking has been temporarily relocated to another URI. It's a hint that this redirection might not persist indefinitely.
Location Header: Alongside the
302 Found
status code, theLocation
header is often included, pinpointing the temporary URI where the requested resource can currently be found.
Why 302 Found?
The 302 Found
status code is beneficial when the content has been shifted to another location for a limited period. For example, it can be used during website maintenance, A/B testing, or for promotional content that will only be relevant for a short duration.
Benefits of 302 Found
Flexibility: The
302
redirect offers flexibility, enabling temporary content shifts without affecting the original URL's SEO value or user bookmarks.SEO: Unlike the
301
redirect, search engines recognize the temporary nature of a302
redirect and typically keep the original URL indexed.
How does 302 Found Work?
Client Sends a Request:
The client sends a request to a specific resource on the server using a URL.
Server Sends a Response:
The server, discerning that the resource has been temporarily moved, returns a
302 Found
response, coupled with aLocation
header pointing to the new URI.
Components of a 302 Found Response
Within a 302 Found
response, you'll typically encounter:
Status Line: The initial line of the response, signaling the
302 Found
status code.
Headers: The
Location
header is pivotal, as it indicates the new temporary URI where the resource can be accessed.
Examples of 302 Found
Website Maintenance:
Response:
Here, a user profile page is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance. Users trying to access it are met with a 302 Found
status code, redirecting them to a maintenance notification page. Once maintenance concludes, the original URL will again provide direct access to the user profile page.
Conclusion
The 302 Found
status code allows developers to temporarily reroute traffic without affecting the SEO value of the original URL or causing any long-term changes. Grasping the 302 Found
status code is essential for anyone working with websites or web applications, as it provides a tool for managing temporary content changes, website maintenance, or promotional campaigns.
Learn about other codes in 3xx family of HTTP status codes such as 301, 304 and 307.