In short. In WordPress, open Yoast SEO > Redirects, choose a redirect type, enter the old and new URLs, then click Add redirect.
Definition: A redirect sends visitors and crawlers from an old URL to another URL. As of October 2026, Yoast SEO Premium provides a redirect manager where an administrator selects a redirect type, enters the URLs and saves the rule with Add redirect.
Key facts
- Yoast’s redirect manager feature page describes automatic redirects when a URL changes and a prompt when a post or page is deleted.
- Yoast’s creation instructions list 301, 302, 307, 410 and 451 in the Redirect Type menu.
- Yoast’s manager documentation identifies PHP as the default redirect method, handled through WordPress.
- Yoast’s redirect types guide distinguishes the redirect codes from 410 and 451, which report unavailable content.
How is a redirect added manually?
Yoast’s step-by-step instructions give this workflow for a redirect to a replacement URL:
- Open Yoast SEO in the WordPress dashboard, then Redirects.
- Open the Redirects tab and select the Redirect Type.
- Enter the source address under Old URL.
- Enter the destination under New URL.
- Click Add redirect.
The same instructions accept a full URL or relative input, meaning the part interpreted against the WordPress site address. The destination can also be an external site URL. Using Yoast’s example paths, a permanent redirect has these field values:
Redirect Type: 301 Moved Permanently
Old URL: redirect_url
New URL: new_url
Which type fits the change?
An HTTP status code is the number a server returns to describe a request’s result. Yoast’s types guide explains the choices available in the manager:
| Menu option | Use described by Yoast |
|---|---|
| 301 Moved Permanently | A page moves permanently to a replacement URL. |
| 302 Found | Visitors temporarily go to an alternative page, with the original URL intended for reuse. |
| 307 Temporary Redirect | A move is temporary and the original URL remains the address for future requests. |
| 410 Content Deleted | Content has been deleted permanently. |
| 451 Unavailable for Legal Reasons | Content is unavailable because of a legal restriction. |
The last two options return a status about the original resource rather than forward visitors to a replacement page.
How does the redirect method work?
Yoast’s manager documentation says the default PHP method lets WordPress handle redirects. It recommends keeping PHP when the administrator is unfamiliar with redirect methods.
The Web Server option can update an Apache .htaccess file directly, bypassing WordPress. The same documentation recommends PHP for nginx because Yoast cannot update its redirects on the fly in that way.
Related terms
- HTTP redirects
- How do I change the URL slug of a WordPress post?
- How does Google handle a deleted page that returns HTTP 410?
FAQ
Does changing a URL create a redirect automatically?
Yes. Yoast’s feature page describes automatic redirects when you change a URL, including categories, tags and custom post types. When you delete a post or page, the manager asks what to do with its old URL.
Can one rule cover several URLs?
Yes. Yoast’s manager documentation describes regular expressions, or Regex, as patterns that match groups of URLs. It reserves these rules for experienced users because an incorrect pattern can break the site.
What if the saved redirect fails?
Yoast’s troubleshooting instructions recommend clearing caches, including those in your theme, plugins, server, content delivery network and browser.
Sources
- Yoast, "Redirect Manager", updated 18 August 2026
- Yoast, "How to redirect a post or page in Yoast SEO Premium", updated 18 February 2026
- Yoast, "The redirect manager in Yoast SEO Premium", updated 21 April 2026
- Yoast, "Which redirect should I use?", 7 October 2020
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