URL Redirect Checker

Check URL redirect paths online. View the full chain of status codes (301, 302) and response headers. Debug affiliate links and SEO migrations.

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Trace Your URL's Journey

When you click a link, you often assume it goes straight to the destination. In reality, a URL might hop through five different servers before it loads. For SEO specialists, affiliate marketers, and developers, understanding this hidden journey is critical. A broken link or an incorrect redirect type can kill your search rankings or wipe out your affiliate commissions. The Redirect Checker reveals this invisible path.

This tool functions as a diagnostic tracer. It follows a URL from the moment it is requested until it lands on the final page. It logs every stop along the way, identifying the specific "status codes" returned by the server. Whether you are auditing a site migration, troubleshooting a "too many redirects" error, or verifying that your affiliate tracking links are working, this tool provides the forensic data you need.

Analyzing the Redirect Chain

The interface is built to show you the "chain" of events. You start by entering your target URL in the main input field. Ensure you include the protocol (http:// or https://), as the difference often triggers the first redirect in the chain.

Once you click "Check Redirects," the tool breaks down the path into individual hops.

  • The Chain: Instead of just showing "Page A -> Page B," it lists every intermediate step. You might see http://example.com (301) -> https://example.com (301) -> https://www.example.com (200 OK).

  • Status Codes: Each step displays a standardized code. Understanding the difference between a 301 (Moved Permanently) and a 302 (Found/Temporary) is vital for SEO. 301 passes ranking authority; 302 does not.

  • Response Headers: By checking the "Show Response Headers" box, you can see the technical metadata sent by the server at each step. This includes cookies, cache settings, and server types.

Detecting Loops and Errors

A common frustration for webmasters is the "Redirect Loop" error, where Page A redirects to Page B, and Page B redirects back to Page A. Browsers will eventually give up and show an error message. This tool helps you identify exactly where the loop occurs so you can fix the logic in your .htaccess file or server config.

It also diagnoses "chains" that are too long. Google recommends keeping redirect chains to a minimum (ideally direct, or max 2 hops). A chain with 5 or 6 hops slows down the user experience and wastes "crawl budget," making it harder for search engines to index your site efficiently.

Understanding Status Codes

The "Information" panel below the results provides a quick reference for the most common codes you will encounter.

  • 200 OK: The request succeeded, and the page loaded. This is the ideal end state.

  • 301 Moved Permanently: The page has moved to a new location forever. This is the standard for site migrations.

  • 302 Found: The page is temporarily at a new location. Often used for geo-targeting or A/B testing.

  • 307 Temporary Redirect: Similar to 302, but ensures the HTTP method (GET/POST) remains unchanged.

  • 404 Not Found: The redirect led to a dead end. This is a critical error to fix immediately.

  • 500 Server Error: The server failed to process the request, often due to a misconfiguration.

Browser Restrictions (CORS)

Note: Due to browser CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) restrictions, this client-side redirect checker may not be able to follow redirects for all URLs. For full redirect chain analysis across all domains, a server-side proxy or API endpoint is recommended. The tool will indicate when CORS restrictions prevent full analysis.

Because this tool runs in your browser, it is subject to the security rules of the web. Some servers explicitly block "cross-origin" requests from scripts. If you see a network error or the chain stops prematurely, it may be due to these security settings rather than a broken link. In those cases, verifying the link manually in a new tab is a good backup step.

Optimization Tips for SEO

Always audit your "http to https" redirects. A secure site should force users to the SSL version. However, improper configuration can cause a "mixed content" chain where the user bounces between secure and insecure versions multiple times. Use this tool to ensure a clean, one-step path to the secure version.

Check your "www vs non-www" consistency. Your site should resolve to one version (e.g., example.com OR www.example.com), not both. The other version should 301 redirect to the preferred one. This tool confirms if that rule is active and functioning correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions