Can Webflow add cache-control headers on the 301 redirect or switch to a 302 redirect to prevent long-term caching by browsers?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Webflow does not currently have a built-in feature that allows users to add cache-control headers on the 301 redirect or switch to a 302 redirect. These are server-level settings that control how browsers cache and handle redirects.

When you make a 301 redirect in Webflow, you are creating a server-side redirect that tells search engines and browsers that the original URL has permanently moved to a new location. The cache-control headers, which control caching behavior, are typically set at the server level and not within the Webflow platform itself.

Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding cache-control headers and 301 redirects:

  1. Cache-Control Headers: Cache-control headers are HTTP response headers that define the caching behavior of a webpage. By setting appropriate cache-control headers, you can control how long browsers cache the content, how they revalidate it, and when they check for updates on subsequent visits.

  2. 301 Redirects: A 301 redirect is a server-side redirect that informs search engines and browsers that a webpage has permanently moved to a new location. It's the best method to redirect users and search engine bots to the correct page while passing the SEO value from the old to the new page.

  3. Cache Duration: By default, browsers will cache 301 redirects for a certain period. This behavior can vary depending on the browser and its caching settings. However, it is generally recommended to set a cache-control header on the redirected page itself to ensure that browsers do not cache the content for an extended period.

  4. Workaround: If you need to control the caching behavior of redirected pages in Webflow, you may need to consider using external methods. One option would be to utilize a CDN (Content Delivery Network) that allows you to set cache-control headers on specific URLs or paths. Alternatively, you can implement server-level configurations or use specialized tools to add cache-control headers to your 301 redirects.

In summary, while Webflow does not have a built-in feature to add cache-control headers on 301 redirects or switch to 302 redirects, there are external options and server-level configurations that can be used to achieve this. It's important to strike a balance between optimizing caching for performance and ensuring that redirected pages are appropriately updated and not cached for an extended period.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I add cache-control headers to a 301 redirect?
  2. Are there any SEO implications when using 301 redirects with caching?
  3. What are the best practices for managing caching and redirects in Webflow?