Redirect Checker
HTTP & Redirects
Trace HTTP redirect chains, detect redirect loops, and optimize your website's redirects for better SEO and faster page load times.
On This Page
What are HTTP Redirects?
HTTP redirects are server responses that tell browsers and search engines a URL has moved to a different location. When a user or bot requests a URL, the server responds with a redirect status code (like 301 or 302) and the new location.
Redirects are essential for maintaining SEO value when URLs change, but they can cause problems if misconfigured or chained together.
Types of Redirects
301 - Permanent Redirect
Indicates the resource has permanently moved to a new URL. Passes ~90-99% of link equity to the new URL.
Use when:
- • Permanently changing a URL structure
- • Migrating to a new domain
- • Consolidating duplicate content
- • Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS
302 - Temporary Redirect
Indicates the resource is temporarily available at a different URL. Does not pass full link equity.
Use when:
- • A/B testing different URLs
- • Temporary maintenance pages
- • Seasonal promotions
- • Testing before permanent migration
307 - Temporary Redirect (HTTP/1.1)
Similar to 302, but guarantees the request method won't change (e.g., POST stays POST).
308 - Permanent Redirect (HTTP/1.1)
Similar to 301, but guarantees the request method won't change. Preferred for modern applications.
Meta Refresh
HTML/JavaScript-based redirect. Not recommended for SEO - search engines may not follow them properly.
Why Check Redirects?
Redirect Chains Hurt SEO
Multiple redirects in sequence (A → B → C) dilute link equity and slow down page load times. Each redirect loses ~10-15% of SEO value.
Redirect Loops Break Sites
When redirects point back to each other (A → B → A), users see "Too many redirects" errors and search engines can't index your pages.
Wrong Redirect Type
Using 302 instead of 301 for permanent changes tells search engines not to pass link equity, harming your rankings.
Performance Issues
Each redirect adds latency. On mobile networks, redirect chains can add seconds to page load time, increasing bounce rates.
How to Use the Redirect Checker
Enter the URL
Paste the full URL you want to check, including the protocol (http:// or https://).
Example: https://example.com/old-page
Review the Redirect Chain
The tool will show you:
- ✓ All redirects in the chain
- ✓ Status codes (301, 302, 307, 308)
- ✓ Destination URLs
- ✓ Total number of hops
- ✓ Final landing page
- ✓ Response times for each hop
Identify Issues
Look for these problems:
- 🔴 Redirect chains - More than 1 redirect
- 🔴 Redirect loops - URLs redirecting to each other
- 🟡 302 instead of 301 - For permanent changes
- 🟡 Slow redirects - High response times
- 🔴 Broken redirects - 404 errors at the end
Fix and Re-test
Update your redirects to point directly to the final destination, then check again.
Try Redirect CheckerCommon Redirect Issues
HTTP to HTTPS Chain
Problem: http://example.com → http://www.example.com → https://www.example.com
Solution: Redirect directly: http://example.com → https://www.example.com (single hop)
WWW vs Non-WWW Chains
Problem: Non-www redirects to www, then to a new page
Solution: Update all redirects to use consistent domain preference
Trailing Slash Issues
Problem: /page redirects to /page/ which redirects to /new-page/
Solution: Handle trailing slashes consistently, redirect directly to final URL
CMS Plugin Conflicts
Problem: Multiple redirect plugins creating chains
Solution: Use a single redirect management plugin, audit existing redirects
Best Practices
Always Use Direct Redirects
Redirect from the old URL directly to the final destination in a single hop. Never chain redirects.
Choose the Right Status Code
Use 301 for permanent changes to pass link equity. Use 302 only for truly temporary redirects.
Update Internal Links
Don't rely on redirects for internal navigation. Update your site's links to point to the new URLs directly.
Audit Regularly
Check your redirects quarterly to catch chains that develop over time as URLs change.
Implement at Server Level
Configure redirects in .htaccess (Apache) or nginx config rather than using plugins or JavaScript.