Redirect Checker

A redirect chain occurs when a URL redirects to another URL, which then redirects to another URL, and so on. For example: A → B → C → D. Each hop in the chain adds latency and can dilute link equity. Our redirect chain checker helps you identify and visualize these chains so you can consolidate them into direct redirects.

Google recommends keeping redirect chains to 3 hops or fewer. While Googlebot can follow up to 10 redirects, each hop adds latency and potentially reduces link equity transfer. For optimal SEO performance, aim for direct redirects (1 hop) whenever possible. Our HTTP redirect tester warns you when chains exceed 3 redirects.

301 redirects are permanent and pass nearly all link equity to the destination URL. Search engines will update their index to show the new URL. 302 redirects are temporary and tell search engines to keep the original URL indexed. Using 302 for permanent changes can cause indexing issues and prevent link equity transfer. Always use 301 for permanent URL changes.

Yes, redirects directly impact page speed. Each redirect requires a full HTTP request-response cycle, typically adding 50-200ms of latency per hop. This affects both user experience and Core Web Vitals scores. Long redirect chains can add significant load time, especially on mobile networks. Use this redirect checker to identify and eliminate unnecessary redirects.

To fix a redirect chain, update the original redirect to point directly to the final destination URL. For example, if you have A → B → C, update the redirect from A to point directly to C, making it A → C. Also update any internal links that point to intermediate URLs in the chain. Use our redirect checker to verify the fix was successful.

Redirect loops occur when URL A redirects to URL B, and URL B redirects back to URL A (directly or through other URLs). Common causes include: conflicting redirect rules, misconfigured CMS plugins, improper trailing slash handling, and HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect conflicts. Our redirect chain checker detects loops before they cause browser errors.

Yes, absolutely. All HTTP URLs should 301 redirect to their HTTPS equivalents for security and SEO. Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal, and browsers mark HTTP pages as "Not Secure." However, avoid creating chains by implementing the redirect at the server level before any other redirects. The ideal chain is: HTTP → HTTPS → Final URL (or direct to final HTTPS URL).

Check redirects monthly or after any significant site changes. Specifically, audit redirects after: site migrations, URL structure changes, CMS updates, adding new redirect rules, or merging content. Regular monitoring with our redirect checker helps catch chains and loops before they impact SEO or user experience.

Yes! Switch to the "Bulk Check" tab to check up to 10 URLs simultaneously. Enter one URL per line, and our tool will analyze the redirect chain for each URL in parallel. You can then export all results as a CSV file for further analysis or sharing with your team.

An "ERR" status indicates a connection failure. This can happen when: the server is unreachable, the domain doesn't exist, the request times out, or there's a firewall blocking the connection. If you see this error, verify the URL is correct and the website is accessible from your network.

This tool detects HTTP redirects only (301, 302, 307, 308 status codes). It cannot detect: JavaScript redirects (window.location), meta refresh redirects (<meta http-equiv="refresh">), or client-side SPA routing. These redirects require a full browser to execute. Additionally, some websites use bot protection (like Cloudflare) that may block server-side requests while allowing browsers through.

Some websites employ bot protection or firewall rules that block automated requests from servers while allowing regular browser traffic. Common causes include: Cloudflare protection, geographic IP restrictions, rate limiting, or servers that require JavaScript execution. If you consistently see connection failures for a specific domain, try using browser developer tools (Network tab) to inspect the actual redirect behavior.