A Guide to URL Redirects for SEO
Understand the difference between 301 and 302 redirects, why redirect chains are harmful, and how to audit your website's health.
What is a URL Redirect?
A URL redirect is a technique to make a webpage available under more than one URL. When a browser opens a redirected URL, a different URL is opened. This is a common practice for website maintenance and marketing, such as redirecting an old page to a new one.
301 vs. 302 Redirects: The SEO Difference
The type of redirect you use sends a strong signal to search engines.
- 301 Moved Permanently: This is the most SEO-friendly redirect. It tells search engines that a page has permanently moved, and Google passes the ranking power ("link equity") to the new URL.
- 302 Found (Temporary): This tells search engines the move is temporary. Google does not pass link equity, keeping the original page indexed. Using a 302 for a permanent move is a major SEO mistake.
The Dangers of Redirect Chains
A redirect chain (`Page A -> Page B -> Page C`) is harmful because it slows down your website for users and wastes "crawl budget" for search engines. Each "hop" in the chain adds loading time and can dilute ranking power. The goal is always to have a single redirect from the old URL directly to the final destination.
How to Use This Redirect Checker
- Enter a URL: Type the full URL you want to trace.
- Trace the Path: Click the "Trace Redirects" button.
- Analyze the Results: The tool will display a visual map of the redirect chain, showing each URL and its HTTP status code.