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Meta refresh has two common uses: automatic updates and redirection. Auto-refresh is useful for continuously updated information, but some users dislike it. Redirects should only be temporary and visitors should be reminded to update their bookmarks. Adding other links and considering browser compatibility is important. Using meta refresh to redirect users to a page full of keywords is not appropriate and can result in search engine penalties.
There are two simple definitions for meta refresh, encompassing its two most common uses. One is an automatic update and the other is redirection, the process of redirecting a user to another web page. Auto-refresh is often used on a website that contains continuously updated information such as news, sports stats, stocks, and weather reports.
The use of meta refresh has both positive and negative implications. While up-to-date information is definitely a plus, some users don’t like pages that update automatically. They may not have had time to view all of the information before the changes occurred, or a page may refresh too slowly for them. The amount of time between changes is therefore an important consideration when using meta refresh.
As for the redirect, you’ve probably clicked on at least one link, which opens a screen stating that you’ll be redirected to another page in a certain amount of time. Generally, there will also be a message saying if you are not redirected within a certain number of seconds; you should click on the link provided. This type of meta refresh should only be used temporarily. Site visitors should be reminded to change their bookmarks to the new URL, or Universal Resource Locator, which is the new web address in a nutshell.
The amount of time the page or link will change is added to the page code in seconds. It’s probably a good idea to add some other links as well, like previous page and maybe next page, so that visitors have an option if the meta refresh timing isn’t to their liking. Also, keep in mind that not all browsers will support a meta refresh in the same way. In some cases, the user may not be able to use the back button to retrieve the previous page.
While meta refresh can be used temporarily when a page has moved, there are other reasons it is used as well, some of which are not considered appropriate by search engines. A website may contain a page that is blatantly full of keywords but no truly unique or valuable content. As a user reaches that page, they may quickly be redirected before even seeing it. While this tactic may once have worked to improve search engine rankings, many search engines will no longer tolerate it. A search engine may actually penalize a site or remove the page from its listings if such tactics are used.
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