Link Tools

Redirecting Link Detector

Find URLs that redirect unnecessarily and reveal redirect chains.

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Redirecting Link Detector - Find and Fix Unnecessary Redirects

The Redirecting Link Detector helps you identify URLs that redirect before reaching their final destination. Redirecting links can slow down page load times, waste crawl budget, and dilute link equity. This tool analyzes links and reveals redirect behavior so you can clean up your internal and external linking structure.

What Is a Redirecting Link?

A redirecting link is a URL that does not resolve directly to its final destination but instead forwards users and crawlers through one or more intermediate URLs. Common redirects include HTTP to HTTPS, non-WWW to WWW, trailing slash changes, and outdated URLs pointing to new locations.

Why Redirecting Links Are a Problem

While redirects are sometimes necessary, unnecessary redirecting links can create performance and SEO issues. Each redirect adds latency, increases server requests, and can reduce the efficiency of search engine crawling. Long redirect chains can also dilute link equity.

How the Redirecting Link Detector Works

This tool checks each submitted URL using HTTP header requests and follows redirects step by step. It records the number of redirects, the final URL, and the full redirect chain. The process does not rely on third-party services and reflects real server behavior.

Common Types of Redirects

HTTP to HTTPS redirects
WWW to non-WWW (or vice versa)
Trailing slash normalization
Old URLs redirected to new content
Temporary redirects used permanently

Impact on SEO

Redirecting links can negatively affect SEO by wasting crawl budget and weakening internal linking signals. Search engines may take longer to reach final URLs, and excessive redirects can reduce the value passed through links. Clean, direct URLs help search engines crawl and understand your site more efficiently.

Internal vs External Redirecting Links

Internal redirecting links are entirely within your control and should always be fixed. External redirecting links may be unavoidable, but whenever possible, they should be updated to point directly to the final destination.

Best Practices to Fix Redirecting Links

Update internal links to final URLs
Avoid linking to HTTP when HTTPS is available
Remove unnecessary redirect chains
Standardize URL formats site-wide
Audit links after migrations or redesigns

Who Should Use This Tool

SEO professionals, webmasters, developers, and site owners can all benefit from this tool. It is especially useful during technical SEO audits, website migrations, and performance optimization projects.

When to Run Redirect Checks

Run redirect checks after changing URL structures, enabling HTTPS, switching CDNs, or importing content. Regular audits help keep your site fast, crawlable, and SEO-friendly.

Final Thoughts

Redirects are a normal part of website maintenance, but unnecessary redirecting links should be avoided. The Redirecting Link Detector gives you clear visibility into redirect behavior so you can fix issues, improve performance, and maintain a clean link structure.

FAQ

What is a redirect chain?

A redirect chain occurs when a URL passes through multiple redirects before reaching its final destination.

Are redirects bad for SEO?

Redirects themselves are not bad, but unnecessary or long redirect chains can harm performance and SEO.

Should internal links ever redirect?

No. Internal links should always point directly to final URLs.

What redirect codes are common?

301 (permanent), 302 (temporary), and 307 are commonly used redirect status codes.

Does this tool follow all redirects?

Yes, it follows redirects step by step and shows the full chain.

Does it use third-party APIs?

No. All checks are done directly from your server.

Can redirecting links slow my site?

Yes. Each redirect adds an extra request and increases load time.

How often should I audit redirects?

Ideally after major site changes and periodically during SEO audits.

Can this help with crawl budget?

Yes. Removing unnecessary redirects helps search engines crawl your site more efficiently.

Is this tool safe to use?

Yes. It only checks HTTP headers and does not modify any data.

Related tools

Pro tip: pair this tool with Backlink Checker and Backlink Maker for a faster SEO workflow.