Redirect Checker
Trace URL redirect chains, detect loops, and verify canonical URLs. Check 301/302 status codes and optimize your redirect strategy for SEO.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many redirects in a chain is too many?
One hop is fine, two is tolerable, and beyond that you are wasting crawl budget and adding latency to every visit. Some browsers give up entirely after five to ten redirects. Point the first URL straight at the final destination rather than letting chains accumulate through successive migrations.
Should I use a 301 or a 302?
Use 301 (permanent) when the old URL is gone for good — it passes ranking signals and gets cached by browsers. Use 302 (temporary) only when you genuinely intend to restore the original URL, such as during maintenance or A/B tests.
Is the Redirect Checker free to use?
Yes. Every tool on this site is completely free, with no account, no signup, and no paid tier to upgrade to.
Do I need to install a browser extension or any software?
No. The Redirect Checker runs online, in the browser you already have. It works the same on desktop and mobile, and there is nothing to download, install, or add to Chrome.
Related Tools
Understanding URL Redirects
URL redirects tell browsers and search engines that a page has moved. Proper redirect configuration is essential for maintaining SEO value and providing a good user experience. Here's what our tool checks:
Redirect Chain Analysis
We follow every redirect hop from start to finish, showing you the complete path. Long chains slow down page loads and can dilute SEO value. Aim for 1-2 redirects maximum.
301 vs 302 Redirects
301 redirects are permanent and pass full SEO value to the destination. 302 redirects are temporary and may not transfer link equity. Using 302 when you mean 301 can hurt your search rankings.
Redirect Loops
A redirect loop occurs when URLs redirect in a circle (A → B → A). This prevents users from reaching your content and wastes search engine crawl budget. Our tool detects loops immediately.
Canonical URL Verification
After following redirects, we check if the canonical URL on the final page matches the destination. Mismatched canonicals can cause duplicate content issues and confuse search engines.
HTTP to HTTPS Upgrades
We detect when URLs redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. While this is good for security, ensure your internal links point directly to HTTPS URLs to avoid unnecessary redirect hops.
Trailing Slash Consistency
Redirects between /page and /page/ are common but create extra hops. Pick one format and use it consistently across your site to minimize redirects.
Redirect Status Codes:
- 301 - Permanent redirect
- 302 - Temporary redirect
- 308 - Permanent (preserves method)
- 307 - Temporary (preserves method)
Need Help With Your Redirect Strategy?
Our team can help audit your redirects, fix chains and loops, and implement best practices for SEO. Book a free discovery call to discuss your needs.