> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.storefront.co.za/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.storefront.co.za/features/system/url-redirects.md).

# URL Redirects

URL Redirects send visitors who arrive at one address on to another. They are what keeps old links working after the merchant changes a product, category or page address, so that customers and search engines are not met with a page that no longer exists.

This matters most after a site restructure or a migration from a previous store, where addresses customers have bookmarked or search engines have indexed would otherwise break.

### Setting Up a Redirect

* **From URL** - the old address the visitor arrives at.
* **To URL** - the address they should be sent to instead.
* **Redirect Type** - how the redirect is reported to browsers and search engines.
* **Global Rule** - applies the redirect across stores rather than to one store only.
* **Store** - the store the redirect applies to, when it is not a global rule.

### Choosing the Redirect Type

* **301 Permanent Redirect** - use this when the old address is gone for good. Search engines transfer the old page's ranking to the new address.
* **302 Redirect** - use this when the move is temporary and the original address will be used again.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A 301 Permanent Redirect is treated as permanent by browsers and search engines, and browsers cache it. Only use it when you are certain the old address will not be needed again.
{% endhint %}

### Loading Redirects in Bulk

Where a merchant has many redirects to create, such as after a migration, they can be uploaded together from a CSV file rather than added one at a time. The expected format is shown on screen.

### How to Add a URL Redirect

1. Click on System at the bottom of the left-hand menu
2. Click on URL Redirects
3. Enter the From URL and the To URL
4. Choose the redirect type
5. Select the store, or mark the rule as global
6. Click Create