What Is 303 Redirect?
A 303 redirect (See Other) is an HTTP status code that tells the browser to follow the redirect using a GET request, regardless of the original request method. It's commonly used after form submissions to prevent duplicate POST requests.
Why It Matters
The 303 redirect solves a specific problem in web development: the Post/Redirect/Get (PRG) pattern. When a user submits a form (a POST request), you don’t want them to accidentally resubmit it by refreshing the page. A 303 redirect sends the browser to a confirmation page using GET, so refreshing is safe.
For domain forwarding, the 301 redirect and 302 redirect are far more common. But understanding 303 helps you diagnose unusual redirect behavior when tools or CDNs inject them.
How It Works
- A browser sends a POST request to
https://example.com/checkout - The server processes the order and responds with
303 See OtherandLocation: https://example.com/order-confirmation - The browser follows the redirect using a GET request — regardless of the original POST
- Refreshing the confirmation page is safe because it’s just a GET
This method change from POST to GET is what distinguishes 303 from 307, which preserves the original method.
303 vs Other Redirects
| Code | Type | Method Change | SEO Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | Permanent | May change to GET | Yes — passes link equity |
| 302 | Temporary | May change to GET | No |
| 303 | See Other | Always changes to GET | No |
| 307 | Temporary | Never changes | No |
| 308 | Permanent | Never changes | Yes |
How Domain Forward Handles This
Domain Forward uses 301 redirects by default for permanent forwarding — the most common need when redirecting domains. You can also configure 302 temporary redirects when needed. The 303 status code isn’t used in domain forwarding scenarios since there are no form submissions involved.
Related Terms
Related Features
Frequently
asked questions
Use a 303 when you want to guarantee the browser follows the redirect with a GET request. A 302 technically should preserve the original method (POST stays POST), though most browsers convert it to GET anyway. A 303 makes this behavior explicit and standards-compliant.
No. A 303 is a temporary redirect, so search engines don't transfer link equity to the destination URL. If you need to pass SEO value, use a 301 redirect instead.
Rarely. Domain forwarding typically uses 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary) redirects. The 303 is designed for application-level redirects — like redirecting a browser to a confirmation page after a form POST.
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