317: Podcasting Tip: How To Test A 301 Redirect (Is It Working?)
Moving Your Podcast To A New Host?
Moving your show to a new hosting platform and getting a new RSS Feed?
Want to keep all of your subscribers for your podcast after making the move?
How can you test to make sure the 301 Redirect you set is working?
Spoiler (The Quick & Dirty Answer):
To Test the 301 Redirect, enter your old RSS Feed URL in a web browser and your new RSS Feed URL will open if the 301 Redirect is working properly. Note: The RSS Feed URL will open a page full of code and that is what you want.
What Is a 301 Permanent Redirect (For Podcasters)?
- Think of a 301 Redirect as a change of address form for RSS Feed URLs
- When moving your Podcast and changing your RSS Feed, setting a 301 Redirect will redirect or forward your old RSS Feed to your new RSS Feed.
- It is called a Permanent Redirect because when an app, directory, device, or subscriber gets redirected to the new RSS Feed, the ‘change of address’ is permanent. They will get updated with the new RSS Feed and will no longer look for the original or old RSS Feed.
- The 301 Redirect should be set whenever moving your show and getting a new RSS Feed.
- The 301 Redirect will update Apple Podcasts and many of the apps and directories with your new RSS Feed (it’s still best practice to check each directory and confirm your new RSS Feed has replaced your old RSS Feed)
- The 301 Redirect will also make sure subscribers to your old RSS Feed automatically get updated and subscribed to your new RSS Feed. Subscribers will not know the RSS Feed has changed (unless they are a podcast nerd and check those sorts of things. 🤓🎤)
- 301 Redirect: Old RSS Feed URL — — — →New RSS Feed URL
Where Do You Set the 301 Permanent Redirect?
- The 301 Redirect is set at the origin or source of the RSS Feed (where you are moving the show from).
- The 301 Redirect is set at your old hosting platform and it is best practice to leave your account open for at least 2 weeks after setting the 301 Redirect before deleting your account.
- Check with your old podcast host before deleting the account to confirm that the 301 Redirect will not expire and will continue working indefinitely.
How Do You Set the 301 Permanent Redirect?
- Some hosting companies require you to contact their support and they will set the 301 Redirect for you.
- If using PowerPress on a Wordpress site, there are a few ways to set a 301 Redirect such as using a WP Plugin or through the cPanel at your website host
- For podcast hosts with a Redirect URL field, you will enter your new RSS Feed URL.
- You will enter your New RSS Feed URL generated by your new podcast hosting company in the 301 Redirect field at your old podcast host you are leaving.
Note: The 301 Redirect will start working immediately. Once you enter your new RSS Feed in the 301 Redirect URL field and click ‘Save’, the 301 Redirect will start working.
- Once the 301 Redirect is active, any time there is a request for your old RSS Feed, it will get redirected to your new RSS Feed.
- The 301 Redirect should keep working even after you delete your pod
How To Test A 301 Redirect (Is It Working?)
Is the 301 Redirect you set working properly?
How can you test it and make sure?
- Open a web browser
- Enter your original RSS Feed in the address bar
- Hit Enter Return
- Your New RSS Feed should open (check the address bar for new feed URL)
- If your new RSS Feed URL opens, the 301 Redirect is working and any requests for the old feed will get permanently redirected to the new RSS Feed.
You can test using my RSS Feeds for Mike Murphy Unplugged (if you enter my old feed in a web browser address bar, it will redirect to my new feed).
Old Feed (PowerPress): https://www.mikemurphy.co/feed/podcast/
New Feed (Simplecast): https://feeds.simplecast.com/8arsv7Yn
Video Tutorial:
I Help People Figure Things Out
- My name is Mike Murphy, I’m a one-man-band and podcaster.
- I make podcasts and tutorials that teach people how to make better content.
- @mikeunplugged on Twitter or Instagram
- I also work full-time as a product support specialist at Simplecast
