Content-Location HTTP Header: Syntax, Directive, Examples

The Content-Location HTTP Header specifies the location of the data in the event that the request fails. The most common application is to display the URL of a resource that was sent via content negotiation. Content negotiation is a technique for serving multiple representations of a resource to the same URI, allowing the user agent to choose the one that is most appropriate for the user. For instance, which document language to use, which image format to use, and which content encoding to use. Geographical location and content-geographic location HTTP Header are not synonymous terms. The Location HTTP Header specifies the URL of a redirect, whereas the Content-Location HTTP Header specifies the direct URL to use to access the resource without navigating through other content. Location is a response header. Location is a response header. Content-Location HTTP Header is a header that is returned with the data. The distinction is difficult to grasp without examples. The Content-Location HTTP Header uses only one value in its syntax. The value for using the Content-Location HTTP Header is “url”. An example of a Content-Location HTTP Header is given below. 

HTTP/1.1 201 Created
Content-Type: text/markdown
Content-Location: /my-birthday-celebration-post

The Content-Location HTTP Header Representation Header is seen above. In the article, the Content-Location HTTP Header Syntax, Directives, and Uses examples will be processed.

What is Content-Location HTTP Header?

The Content-Location Relationship HTTP Header is an entity-header that specifies the origin and path of the data returned. Additionally, it indicates how to access the resource by providing the direct URL. It is frequently used interchangeably with another HTTP Header called Location. So, even though the Content-Location HTTP Header is used to send the URL of a new location when a page is redirected to a new location, it uses Location.

What is the Syntax of Content-Location HTTP Header?

The Content-Location HTTP Header uses only one value in its syntax. The syntax for using the Content-Location HTTP Header is written below.

Content-Location: <url>

What is the Directive of Content-Location HTTP Header?

There is only one directive in the Content-Location HTTP Header. The “URL” is either an absolute or a relative URL. An example directive of the Content-Location HTTP Header is given below. 

Content-Location: /index.html
Content-Location: /teddy.xml

How to use Content-Location HTTP Header?

The Content-Location HTTP Header is used in conjunction with the Location HTTP Header. The primary difference between the two is that Location specifies the URL of the resource to which the page is being redirected, whereas Content-Location specifies the URL of a resource that has been communicated over the network.

Examples of Content-Location HTTP Header Use

The following are examples of how to use the Content-Location HTTP Header.

  • In this case, index.html is the URL indicating the content’s location.
Content-Location: /index.html
  • In this case, teddy.xml is the URL indicating the content’s location.
Content-Location: /teddy.xml

What is the Specification Document for Content-Location HTTP Header?

There is only one specification document for the Content-Location HTTP Header, which is the RFC 7231. The RFC 7231 Article 3.1.4.2 discusses the Content-Location HTTP Header and its applications. Additionally, the article discusses the Content-Location HTTP Header’s definition and usage.

What is the type of Content-Location HTTP Header?

The Content-Location HTTP Header type is the Representation Header because it contains information on the resource’s body, such as its MIME-type or the encoding/compression used

What is the similar HTTP Header to the Content-Location HTTP Header?

There is only one similar HTTP Header to the Content-Location HTTP Header, which is the Location HTTP Header. The Location HTTP Header response header specifies the URL to which a page should be redirected. It has no meaning unless it is accompanied by a 3xx (redirection) or 201 (generated) status code, similar to the Content-Location HTTP Header.

Which Browsers Support Content-Location HTTP Header? 

There are multiple browsers that support Content-Location HTTP Header. The following browsers are listed below.

  • Chrome Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Edge Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Firefox Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Internet Explorer Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Opera Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Safari Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • WebView Android Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Chrome Android Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Firefox Android Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Opera Android Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Safari on iOS Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.
  • Samsung Internet Browser is compatible with the Content-Location HTTP Header.

You can see an image that shows cross-browsers compatibility of Content-Location HTTP Headers below. 

Content-Location HTTP Header
Holistic SEO
Follow SEO

Leave a Comment

Content-Location HTTP Header: Syntax, Directive, Examples

by Holistic SEO time to read: 3 min
0