Redirect old to new pages - how many seconds should I use?

and is this a bad thing for search engines?

[Web Footed Newbie]

I have re-done my site, as others do from time to time. Maybe this question will help others here.

I'm doing a redirect in the HTML code for some old pages where the names and directories have changed (for better seo).

Two questions:
1. What do you recommend as far as number of seconds on the redirect?
2. How do search engines react - do they follow the redirect, especially considering number of seconds?

Thanks in advance! WFN :)

[peewhy]

I use this in the source code.
<META HTTP-EQUIV="refresh" CONTENT="0; url=http://www.yoursite.com">

It is almost instant.

Redirects are not frowned upon if they are done for the right reasons.

type in gogle instead of google and see. :0
HTH

Peter

[peewhy]

Shall I try and answer that again properly this time instead of rushing in like a bull in a china shop!

Search engines will follow the link and the seconds are not counted by them so you need to be as quick as you wish.

Be mindful about any messages you might want the vistors to read before the page redirects.

Peter

[Web Footed Newbie]

Thanks PeeWhy.

Just in case, do you put a link on the old page to the new page for any users if the redirect does not work?

Thanks again, WFN :)

[peewhy]

Common practice seems to be a little one liner ..."if this pages doesn't redirect in x seconds click here"

The search engines will also follow that link.

Peter

[Web Footed Newbie]

Thanks Peter, that is what I thought and wanted to confirm because I've seen it so many times.

Okay, this is what I'm doing:
1. Redirect on old page to new page for 3 seconds in HTML in the head
2. Have a one liner as suggested with link
3. Have nothing else on the page - small file size

Sounds good to me, how about you? Thanks for the help.
WFN:)

[peewhy]

Looks good :)