Redirect Checker
Check HTTP status codes and redirect chains
HTTP Status Codes
200 - OK
301 - Permanent Redirect
302 - Temporary Redirect
404 - Not Found
500 - Server Error
Redirect Checker - Understanding HTTP Status Codes for SEO
Understanding HTTP redirects is crucial for maintaining SEO value during website migrations, URL changes, and site restructuring. This redirect checker guide explains the different redirect types, their SEO implications, and best practices for implementing redirects that preserve your search rankings.
Types of HTTP Redirects
- 301 Permanent: URL has permanently moved. Transfers ~90-99% of link equity. Use for permanent URL changes, domain migrations.
- 302 Found (Temporary): URL temporarily moved. Original URL stays indexed. Use for maintenance, A/B testing, geo-redirects.
- 307 Temporary (HTTP/1.1): Like 302, but guarantees request method is preserved. Use for POST-to-POST redirects.
- 308 Permanent (HTTP/1.1): Like 301, but guarantees method preservation. Less common but technically correct.
- Meta Refresh: Client-side redirect via HTML. Not recommended for SEO—use server-side redirects instead.
SEO Best Practices for Redirects
Always redirect directly to the final destination—avoid chains. Use 301 redirects for permanent changes to pass maximum link equity. Update internal links to point to new URLs (don't rely solely on redirects). Monitor for 404 errors in Google Search Console and implement redirects for important broken pages.
Common Redirect Mistakes
Using 302 for permanent moves (loses SEO value), creating redirect chains (A→B→C), redirect loops (A→B→A), redirecting all 404s to homepage (confuses users and search engines), and not updating sitemaps and internal links after redirects. Regular audits help catch these issues.
Checking Redirects Properly
Browser-based tools face CORS restrictions that limit redirect checking. For comprehensive analysis, use: command-line tools like curl -I -L URL, browser DevTools Network tab, Screaming Frog SEO Spider, or browser extensions like Redirect Path. These tools can follow complete redirect chains and report all status codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?
A 301 redirect is permanent—it tells search engines to transfer all ranking power to the new URL. A 302 is temporary—search engines keep indexing the original URL. Use 301 for permanent URL changes, 302 for temporary moves (maintenance, A/B testing).
How do redirects affect SEO?
Proper redirects preserve SEO value when URLs change. 301 redirects pass most link equity (ranking power) to the destination. Redirect chains (A→B→C) lose equity at each hop. Broken redirects create 404 errors that hurt rankings and user experience.
What is a redirect chain and why is it bad?
A redirect chain occurs when multiple redirects link together (URL A→B→C→D). Each hop loses some link equity and slows page load. Google follows up to 10 redirects but recommends avoiding chains. Always redirect directly to the final destination.
What are the common HTTP status codes?
200 (OK), 301 (Permanent Redirect), 302 (Temporary Redirect), 307 (Temporary Redirect - HTTP/1.1), 308 (Permanent Redirect - HTTP/1.1), 404 (Not Found), 410 (Gone), 500 (Server Error), 503 (Service Unavailable).
When should I use a 307 or 308 redirect?
307 (temporary) and 308 (permanent) are HTTP/1.1 equivalents of 302 and 301. They guarantee the request method (GET, POST) is preserved. Use them when method preservation matters, like form submissions. For most SEO purposes, 301/302 work fine.
How do I check redirect chains?
Due to browser CORS restrictions, comprehensive redirect chain checking requires server-side tools. Use curl with -L flag, browser developer tools (Network tab), or SEO tools like Screaming Frog, Redirect Path extension, or online server-side checkers.
What is a redirect loop and how do I fix it?
A redirect loop occurs when redirects form a circle (A→B→A). This causes infinite redirects and breaks the page. Check your server config (.htaccess, nginx.conf) and CMS settings for conflicting rules. Test each redirect in isolation.
Why does this tool show CORS limitations?
Browser security (CORS) prevents JavaScript from following redirects across domains or reading full HTTP response chains. For complete redirect analysis, you need server-side tools that can make requests without browser restrictions.
Related SEO Tools: Try our Sitemap Generator, Robots.txt Generator, and Meta Tag Generator for more SEO optimization tools.