301 redirects - Server Side or not?

Is a 301 redirect a server side redirect.

[Ahurley]

Is a 301 redirect a server side redirect.

I use a host that allows me to set a redirect using the hsphere server management program.

I know that a 301 is done by altering the htaccess file, but I am not sure it this is the best redirect to use for my site that I want to redirect to another domain.

The site has been listed on some sites, but has not been listed with any major search engines. I want to consolidate my domains, but am wondering if I should wait until my site has been listed to employ the redirect. I guess what I am wondering is does a 301 redirect still allow spiders in to scan the site, but send vistors elsewhere?

Thanks

[Philosopher]

No...a 301 redirect will not allow visitors to scan the site. It is a server side redirect, meaning when the page is requested by either a spider or a regular visitor, the server returns the 301 status code and redirects them immediately to the new URL.

[Ahurley]

Do you have a suggestion for how to handle this kind of redirect?

[Philosopher]

Why are you wanting the visitors to see the pages and not the engines?

The only way to do this is through cloaking which is definitely frowned on by the engines.

What is it you are trying to accomplish?