Is it detrimental to SEO if a search on the website is redirected?
For instance, on a website with the domain www.domain.com, there is a search form. When a phrase, like "obama," is submitted, it generates a URL like www.domain.com?s=obama.



To eliminate these variables, I implemented 301 redirects for such requests, causing the user to be redirected to www.domain.com/obama.

Is this a wise approach?

The implementation of 301 redirects from query URLs (like www.domain.com?s=obama) to static URLs (like www.domain.com/obama) can have both pros and cons in terms of SEO. Let's consider a few:

Pros:

Predictable URLs: This strategy makes your URLs more predictable and easier to understand, both for users and search engines. This can benefit user experience and potentially improve your SEO.

Control over Indexing: It gives you more control over which pages are indexed by search engines. Query URLs, particularly from search functions, can generate so many variations that they could lead to duplicate content issues if not managed properly. With your strategy of redirecting to static URLs, you have better control over what gets indexed and can reduce the risk of duplicate content.

Cons:

Crawling Issues: One potential downside is that if not implemented correctly, it could lead to crawling issues where search engines fail to access and index your pages properly.

Redirect Overhead: Another issue is the overhead that comes with 301 redirects. Each redirect makes an additional HTTP request, which can slow down page loading times. This is not good for user experience and, therefore, not good for SEO.

Incorrect Mapping: There's also a risk of incorrectly mapping the query URL to a static URL, which could result in users (and search engines) essentially going to a wrong or irrelevant page. This could harm the overall user experience and your website's reputation, which could negatively impact SEO.

In general, it's important to consider whether the potential advantages outweigh the risks in your particular case. There are other ways to handle parameters in URLs (for example, using canonical tags, configuring URL parameters in Google Search Console, etc.) which won't introduce potential crawling and indexing issues.

Remember also to ensure that the /obama page you are redirecting to is relevant, content-rich, and provides value for users who are searching for "obama." This is critical because SEO is largely about relevancy and providing high-quality content to meet users' needs. If the page is simply a placeholder without substantive content, it wouldn't necessar


Tthere are other considerations you should take into account:

Content Availability & Relevance:

Each page (like www.domain.com/obama) should have unique, relevant content about the specific search term. If you are creating pages dynamically just to have a clean URL without any rich content related to the term, it won't benefit SEO. Google values quality content, so every page must provide value to the visitors.

Dynamic vs. Static Pages:

Be aware of the difference between dynamic and static pages. Dynamic pages (where the content changes based on variables such as search queries) can lead to Google indexing a large number of similar pages, potentially diluting your SEO efforts across these multiple pages. Static pages (with a fixed URL and content) tend to be more SEO-friendly because there's one version of the page that Google can index and rank.

Proper Mapping of Pages:

Another concern is maintaining the correct mapping of the query to the redirected page. If someone searches for a phrase that doesn't have an appropriate page to redirect to, your website should handle this gracefully rather than redirecting to an irrelevant or wrong page.

Block Search Result Pages:

Unless search result pages are highly valuable to users with unique, high-quality content, it's often recommended to block them from Googlebot using the robots.txt file or a noindex meta tag. This is because they might appear as thin or duplicate content; they also can create a virtually unlimited amount of new URLs, which might waste crawl budget.

Implement 301 Correctly:

When implemented correctly, a 301 redirect tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to the new URL, and they should transfer the link equity to the new address.

User Experience:

One of the often-forgotten factors is the UX (User Experience). A smooth and relevant redirection will result in more comfortable navigation for the user, decreasing bounce rate and increasing dwell time, both indirect but important ranking factors.

Consistency in Redirect Strategy:

Once you start implementing 301 redirects, it's very important to be consistent. Having inconsistent redirects or changing them often can confuse search engines and possibly create a negative impact on your SEO efforts.

Implement 301 Redirects for All Variants:

If you have several URL versions for the same page (for example, HTTP and HTTPS, www and non-www), ensure that all point to a single, preferred URL. This process, known as canonicalization, reduces duplicate content and strengthens the SEO of the primary page.

Check Your Analytics:

Regularly check your web analytics to identify any issues like a sudden drop in traffic that could suggest your redirects aren't working correctly. This practice will also help you understand how visitors are interacting with your site after the change.

Preparation for Initial SEO Impact:

You should anticipate a possible initial drop in your site's rankings after implementing the redirects. This fluctuation typically happens as search engines recrawl and reindex the pages at their new locations.

Use of XML Sitemaps:

Use XML sitemaps to inform search engines about changes on your site. This can ensure that search engines understand your site's structure and can help improve its visibility to crawlers.

Test Your Redirects:

Always test your 301 redirects after you've implemented them. While it may seem straightforward, it's possible to make errors that could negatively impact your SEO and user experience.

Monitor Site Performance and Page Speed:

Too many redirects can lead to slower page loading times, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights to keep an eye on your site performance and resolve any issues as soon as possible.

Implementing a 301 redirect strategy from query URLs to static URLs can have several benefits, as long as you follow best practices, continuously monitor performance, and promptly address any issues.

What could be the issue with the primary choice?

It brings up another point - do you get a 200 code when redirected via 301 to the page www.domain.com/obama? How is a redirect to a page that doesn't exist possible? Maybe you meant to suggest that you've managed your CNC, say, using mod_rewrite?

It generally seems imprudent, and arguably more accurate to resort to links like www.domain.com/?s=obama.

Properly structured URLs can significantly improve user experience and your website's crawlability by search engines. Therefore, where possible, clear and descriptive URLs should be used.

It's utter foolishness that hampers you from directly guiding the user to www.domain.com/obama. Why on earth is there an additional redirect layer?

In this moment, I'm wrestling with a single website that's cluttered with a myriad of redirects. It seems to be the work of similarly misguided individuals.

Wouldn't it be so much more straightforward if we just made the user's journey simpler and more transparent? Redirects should be a necessary evil, not a pervasive habit.

Forward authority of any links pointing to a page that has moved or been deleted.
Avoid 404 page not found errors (although sometimes it is better to leave a 404).

Rewriting /?s=obama to /obama looks sleek, but for SEO, it's not a silver bullet. Search results URLs are usually noindexed since they don't add unique value.
Using 301 redirects here might cause crawl inefficiencies or dilute backlink equity if these URLs get misunderstood as real content.