metarefresh

MetaRefresh refers to an HTML technique that uses a meta tag with http-equiv="refresh" to instruct a browser to refresh the current page or navigate to a different URL after a specified delay. It is commonly implemented with a content attribute that combines a delay in seconds and an optional destination URL.

A typical example is: <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="5; url=https://example.com/">. The browser waits five seconds and then loads the specified URL. If the URL portion is omitted, the page simply refreshes itself after the delay. Meta refresh can be used for simple timed redirects or for presenting a temporary notice before automatic navigation.

Use cases include temporary redirection, countdown-style pages, or pairing content with a brief automatic refresh. It is often seen on maintenance pages or transitions between pages when scripting is unavailable or undesirable. However, it should not be relied upon for essential navigation due to potential accessibility and usability issues.

Accessibility and user experience considerations are important. Meta refresh can be disruptive to screen readers, can confuse users who do not expect automatic navigation, and may be problematic for those with cognitive or motor impairments. Some browsers and assistive technologies handle it poorly, and rapid or opaque redirects can create a poor user experience. For SEO, search engines may treat meta refresh redirects as redirects, but they are generally discouraged for permanent navigation and may be ignored or deprioritized in ranking.

Alternatives include server-side HTTP redirects (3xx status codes), the Refresh HTTP header, or JavaScript-based redirects (for example, window.location or window.location.replace). These approaches offer clearer control, better accessibility, and improved SEO outcomes.