Will Multiple 301's to the Same URL Cause Issues?

[kbates]

Hey Everyone,

We have a client (I don't have permission to disclose) that has just attempted to create better URL's for their site, per our direction. In the process, their website platform kind of took over their renaming attempts and instead of creating the clean, short, descriptive URLs we all wanted, they got convoluted, longer URLs. This all happened within the past 3 or 4 days.

So, they went out and got an add-on that's going to help them create better URL's. In the meantime, they now have the original page/URL plus two new ones for a total of three. No 301's have been setup yet. When they create the new and (hopefully) improved URL tomorrow, will it hurt their rankings to have three pages redirected to the new one?

Is a 301 redirect the right method for this issue or should they do something different?

Thanks in advance,

Kirk

[Tenlo]

Kirk, 301s are the correct choice, and there is nothing wrong with having multiple 301s point to a url, it is very common. IF you are doing a full set of new urls, make sure you go back to any old 301 redirects and point them directly at active pages, you will lose out if you are creating long 301 chains.

[stuartghSEO]

The Moz video on redirects - https://moz.com/academy/redirects - cautions against redirecting multiple pages to one URL.

[Guest]

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[kbates]

Thanks James

[kbates]

Thanks Michael,

That is the route we have taken with our client it seems to be working out well, so far.

Kirk