Meta Refresh
01 Definition
Meta Refresh meaning: An HTML tag that reloads or redirects a page after a set number of seconds.
A meta refresh is a client-side instruction placed in the page head that tells the browser to reload the current page or send the user to another URL after a delay. Google can follow it but treats it as a weaker, less preferred signal than a server-side redirect.
Also called
Why it matters
How Meta Refresh fits the work
It still appears on older sites, so recognizing it helps you replace weak client-side redirects with cleaner server-side ones that search engines handle better.
In context
The legacy page used a meta refresh with a five-second delay to push visitors to the new URL, which we replaced with a server 301.
Practical note
Prefer a server-side 301 for moves; instant meta refresh redirects can confuse users and are handled less consistently than HTTP redirects.