Redirect Chain Checker
Trace the full redirect path of any URL. Find redirect chains, loops, temporary redirects, and HTTP-to-HTTPS issues that hurt your SEO.
Why Check Redirect Chains?
SEO Impact
Each redirect in a chain dilutes link equity (PageRank). A 3-hop chain can lose 15-30% of link value. Google recommends keeping redirects to a single hop.
Page Speed
Every redirect adds latency — typically 100-500ms per hop. A 4-redirect chain adds 0.4-2 seconds before the page even starts loading.
Crawl Budget
Googlebot has a crawl budget per site. Redirect chains waste crawl budget by making the bot follow multiple URLs to reach the same content.
User Experience
Redirect loops are the worst — they trap users in an infinite cycle. Even long chains cause visible delays and can trigger browser timeout errors.
Common Redirect Issues
Permanent Redirect
Good for SEO — passes ~90-99% of link equity. Use for permanent URL changes, domain migrations, and canonical URL enforcement.
Temporary Redirect
Bad for SEO if used permanently — search engines may keep indexing the old URL. Only use for genuinely temporary situations (A/B tests, maintenance).
Temporary Redirect (HTTP/1.1)
Same as 302 but guarantees the request method is preserved. Similar SEO implications — avoid for permanent moves.
Permanent Redirect (HTTP/1.1)
Same as 301 but preserves the request method. Relatively rare, but SEO-safe for permanent redirects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a redirect chain?
A redirect chain occurs when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects to URL C (and possibly more). Each hop adds latency and can dilute SEO value. Ideally, URL A should redirect directly to the final destination.
What is a redirect loop?
A redirect loop happens when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects back to URL A (or forms a cycle through multiple URLs). This creates an infinite loop that prevents users from reaching the page.
Should I use 301 or 302 redirects?
Use 301 (permanent) for any redirect that's meant to last. It passes nearly all link equity to the new URL. Use 302 (temporary) only for truly temporary situations like A/B tests or planned maintenance. Most redirects should be 301s.
How many redirects are too many?
Google recommends at most 1 redirect between the requested URL and the final destination. Chains of 3+ redirects waste crawl budget and add significant latency. Always try to redirect directly to the final canonical URL.