Redirect Checker Tool - Analyze 301, 302 & Chains

Understanding URL Redirects

Redirects are an essential part of the web. They tell browsers and search engines that a page has moved to a new location. Understanding the different types of redirects is crucial for SEO and maintaining a healthy website.

301 Moved Permanently

A 301 redirect indicates that a page has been permanently moved to a new location. This is the most common and SEO-friendly redirect. It passes between 90-99% of link equity (ranking power) to the redirected page. You should use 301s when you migrate a site, change URL structures, or switch from HTTP to HTTPS.

302 Found (Temporary Redirect)

A 302 redirect tells search engines that the move is only temporary. Link equity is generally not passed to the new URL. Use this when you’re running A/B tests, updating a page, or temporarily sending users to a different promotion page.

Meta Refresh

A Meta Refresh is a type of redirect executed by the browser rather than the server. It’s often seen as a “You will be redirected in 5 seconds…” message. These are generally discouraged for SEO as they can be slower and confusing for search engines.

JavaScript Redirects

JavaScript redirects use code like window.location = "..." to send users to a new page. Google can render and follow these, but they are less reliable than server-side 3xx redirects. They should be a last resort.

Redirect Chains

A redirect chain occurs when there are multiple redirects between the initial URL and the final destination (e.g., A -> B -> C). Long chains slow down page load times and waste “crawl budget” for search engines. It’s best practice to link directly to the final destination (A -> C).

HTTP Headers to Watch

• Location: The target URL of the redirect.
• X-Robots-Tag: Can instruct search engines not to index a page (noindex) or follow links (nofollow).
• Rel=“canonical”: Tells search engines which version of a page is the “master” copy to prevent duplicate content issues.

Use our free tool above to analyze your links and ensure your redirects are set up correctly for maximum SEO performance.