Post-Redirect-Get
Definition
The Post-Redirect-Get pattern is a common way of handling form submissions in web development.[1]
How it works
The purpose of the Post-Redirect-Get pattern is to improve the user experience and avoid potential issues when handling form submissions.
When a user submits a form using the POST method, the server processes the form and performs any necessary actions (such as storing the form data in a database). Without the redirect, the user would see a prompt to resubmit the form when they refresh the page, which could lead to unintended consequences (such as creating multiple copies of the same form submission in the database).
By using the Post-Redirect-Get pattern, the server sends a redirect response to the client after processing the form, directing it to a GET request for a different page. This ensures that the form submission is completed and there is no longer any risk of unintended resubmission when the user refreshes the page.
It involves three steps:
- The user submits a form using the POST method.
- The server processes the form and performs any necessary actions (such as storing the form data in a database).
- The server sends a redirect response to the client, directing it to a GET request for a different page.
This pattern is used to avoid issues with form resubmission when the user refreshes the page after the form submission. Without the redirect, the user would see a prompt to resubmit the form when they refresh the page, which could lead to unintended consequences (such as creating multiple copies of the same form submission in the database). By redirecting the user to a different page, the form submission is completed and there is no longer any risk of unintended resubmission.
Post-Redirect-Get and SEO
The Post-Redirect-Get pattern generally does not have a direct effect on SEO. It is a design pattern that is used to improve the user experience and avoid potential issues with form resubmission, rather than to optimize a website for search engines.
However, SEO can be indirectly affected by the way that a website is designed and implemented. If a website has a poor user experience or is difficult for users to navigate, this can negatively impact its search ranking. By using the Post-Redirect-Get pattern (or other design patterns that improve the user experience), it is possible to indirectly improve a website's SEO by making it more user-friendly and easier to use.