Redirect Checker
Follow a URL redirect path, inspect HTTP status codes and identify unnecessary redirect chains before they create SEO or user-experience problems.
What is a Redirect Checker?
A redirect sends visitors and crawlers from one URL to another. Permanent redirects are commonly used when pages move, URLs change or duplicate locations are consolidated.
Why this check matters for SEO
Long or incorrect redirect chains add extra requests and can make site migrations harder to maintain. Internal links should normally point directly to the preferred final URL.
SEO best practices
- Link internally to the final destination where possible.
- Avoid unnecessary multi-hop redirect chains.
- Check old important URLs after migrations.
- Do not redirect unrelated removed pages simply to avoid a 404.
Redirect Checker FAQs
What is a redirect chain?
A chain occurs when one URL redirects to another URL which redirects again before reaching the final destination.
What is the difference between 301 and 302?
301 indicates a permanent redirect, while 302 is generally used for a temporary redirect.
Are redirects bad for SEO?
Redirects are a normal part of website management. Problems arise when they are incorrect, excessive or send users somewhere irrelevant.
Reduce redirect chains without breaking old links
Redirects help maintain access after a page moves. Several sequential redirects add requests and complicate diagnosis, especially when internal links could point directly to the final destination.
How to interpret a result
If /old-a/ redirects to /old-b/ and then /current/, update links inside your site to /current/. Where /old-a/ receives external visitors, retain an appropriate direct redirect to /current/.
Example only — this is not a result from a real customer scan.
What to do next
- Follow the full chain and check each HTTP status.
- Confirm that the destination is relevant and returns the intended page.
- Update menus, content and sitemap URLs to link directly to the final destination.
- Where appropriate, reduce unnecessary redirect hops and test for loops.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not remove established redirects purely to improve a tool score without considering users and incoming links.
Need to check more than one page? Start with a free SEO Scan Lab summary, then review a full crawl if you need site-wide coverage and the source URLs behind issues.