Redirect Checker

Amaze SEO Tools offers a free Redirect Checker that traces the full redirect path of any URL in real time, revealing every intermediate step between the original address and the final landing page.

When a web server receives a request for a URL, it can respond by sending the browser to a different address — this is called a redirect. Redirects are implemented using HTTP status codes in the 3xx range, each indicating a specific type of redirection. The most common are 301 (Moved Permanently), which tells search engines the page has permanently relocated and link equity should transfer to the new URL, and 302 (Found), which signals a temporary move where the original URL should remain indexed. Other redirect types include 307 (Temporary Redirect), 308 (Permanent Redirect), Meta Refresh, and JavaScript redirects.

Improperly configured redirects can create chains (multiple consecutive hops), loops (URLs redirecting back to each other), or broken paths — all of which waste search engine crawl budget, dilute link equity, slow page load times, and harm user experience. Our tool exposes the complete redirect journey so you can identify and fix these issues before they damage your rankings.

Input Fields

1. Enter a Website URL

A text field labeled "Enter a website URL" with the placeholder "https://..." indicating the expected format. Enter the full URL you want to trace — including the protocol (http:// or https://) and any path or query parameters if needed. A clipboard icon on the right side of the field allows quick paste or clear actions.

The tool accepts any publicly accessible URL: full domain addresses (https://example.com), specific pages (https://example.com/old-page), shortened URLs (bit.ly links, t.co links), affiliate links, and URLs with query strings or UTM parameters.

2. reCAPTCHA (I'm not a robot)

Tick the "I'm not a robot" checkbox before running the redirect check. This Google reCAPTCHA verification prevents automated abuse and ensures fair access to the tool for all users.

Action Buttons

Three buttons appear below the reCAPTCHA:

Check (Blue Button)

The primary action. After entering a URL and passing the reCAPTCHA, click "Check" to trace the redirect path. The tool sends a request to the entered URL, follows every redirect hop automatically, and displays the complete chain — including each intermediate URL, its HTTP status code, and the final destination where the browser ultimately lands.

Sample (Green Button)

Fills the input field with a pre-configured example URL so you can instantly see how the tool works and understand the output format before checking your own URLs.

Reset (Red Button)

Clears the URL input field and removes any displayed redirect results, giving you a clean slate for a new check.

What Does the Redirect Checker Reveal?

A complete redirect trace typically displays the following information for each step in the chain:

• HTTP Status Code — The server response code at each hop. Common codes include 301 (Moved Permanently), 302 (Found / Temporary Redirect), 303 (See Other), 307 (Temporary Redirect), 308 (Permanent Redirect), and 200 (OK) for the final destination. Each code carries different implications for SEO and how search engines treat the redirect.
• Redirect Type — Whether the redirect is server-side (HTTP redirect via .htaccess, NGINX, or server configuration), a Meta Refresh (HTML-level redirect), or a JavaScript redirect — each having different SEO impacts.
• Full Redirect Chain — The complete sequence of URLs from the original address through every intermediate redirect to the final landing page. This reveals whether your URL reaches its destination in a single hop or passes through unnecessary extra steps.
• Final Destination URL — The ultimate URL where the browser arrives after all redirects are resolved. This confirms whether your redirect leads users and search engines to the correct page.
• Number of Redirects — The total count of hops in the chain. Fewer is better — Google recommends keeping redirect chains as short as possible, ideally a single direct redirect from source to destination.

How to Use Redirect Checker – Step by Step

1. Open the Redirect Checker on the Amaze SEO Tools website.
2. Enter the URL you want to trace in the input field — include the full address with http:// or https://.
3. Complete the reCAPTCHA by ticking the "I'm not a robot" checkbox.
4. Click "Check" to initiate the redirect trace.
5. Review the results — examine each hop in the redirect chain, verify the HTTP status codes are correct, and confirm the final destination URL is where you expect traffic to land.

Understanding HTTP Redirect Status Codes

Knowing what each status code means helps you interpret the Redirect Checker results and make informed decisions:

• 301 – Moved Permanently — The page has permanently relocated to a new URL. Search engines transfer link equity (ranking power) to the new address and update their index. This is the recommended redirect for permanent URL changes, site migrations, and domain consolidations.
• 302 – Found (Temporary Redirect) — The page is temporarily available at a different URL. Search engines keep the original URL indexed and do not transfer link equity. Use this only for genuinely temporary situations like A/B testing or maintenance pages.
• 303 – See Other — Directs the client to retrieve the resource at a different URL using a GET request. Commonly used after form submissions to prevent duplicate data entry on page refresh.
• 307 – Temporary Redirect — Similar to 302 but strictly preserves the original HTTP request method (GET, POST, etc.). Often used in HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) implementations to enforce HTTPS.
• 308 – Permanent Redirect — Similar to 301 but strictly preserves the original HTTP request method. A more modern alternative for permanent redirects where method preservation matters.
• 200 – OK — The page loaded successfully with no redirect. This typically appears as the final step in a redirect chain, confirming the destination page is live and accessible.

Who Needs a Redirect Checker?

Checking URL redirect behavior is a critical task across many professional roles:

• SEO professionals — After site migrations, domain changes, or URL restructuring, verifying that all old URLs correctly 301-redirect to their new counterparts is essential to preserve search rankings and link equity. The tool also helps identify redirect chains that waste crawl budget and dilute page authority.
• Web developers — When implementing redirects in .htaccess files, NGINX configurations, or server-side code, testing each rule to confirm it produces the intended status code and destination prevents costly deployment errors.
• Digital marketers — Tracking URLs used in email campaigns, social media posts, and paid advertisements often involve multiple redirect layers (URL shorteners, tracking pixels, affiliate parameters). Verifying that the full chain resolves to the correct landing page ensures campaign traffic reaches its target.
• Affiliate marketers — Affiliate links pass through several redirect hops between networks and advertisers. A single broken link in the chain means lost commissions. Regular checks confirm that every affiliate URL resolves to the correct merchant page.
• Content managers — When reorganizing website content, moving articles between categories, or merging duplicate pages, redirect checks confirm that old bookmarked URLs still lead readers to the right content.
• Security researchers — Investigating suspicious shortened URLs or links from phishing emails by tracing their redirect path reveals the true destination without having to visit potentially dangerous sites directly.
• Website owners — Ensuring that all URL variants (http vs https, www vs non-www) redirect to a single canonical version prevents duplicate content issues and consolidates domain authority in one place.

Why Choose Amaze SEO Tools for Redirect Checking?

• Completely Free — No sign-up, no payment, and no per-check limits.
• Full Redirect Chain Visibility — See every hop from start to finish, not just the final destination. Each intermediate URL and its HTTP status code are displayed clearly.
• All Redirect Types Detected — Identifies 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, Meta Refresh, and JavaScript redirects — giving you complete insight into how the redirect is implemented.
• Works with Any URL — Test full website addresses, specific page URLs, shortened links, affiliate URLs, and tracking links across any domain or TLD.
• Instant Results — Enter a URL, click once, and the complete redirect trace loads in seconds.
• No Technical Setup Required — Get the same diagnostic information that command-line tools like curl -I provide, through a clean and intuitive web interface accessible to anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Redirect Checker free to use?

A: Yes. The Redirect Checker by Amaze SEO Tools is entirely free — no account registration, no fees, and no usage limits.

Q: What is the difference between a 301 and a 302 redirect?

A: A 301 redirect signals a permanent move — search engines transfer link equity to the new URL and update their index accordingly. A 302 redirect signals a temporary move — search engines keep the original URL indexed and do not pass link equity. Using the wrong type can significantly impact your search rankings.

Q: What is a redirect chain and why is it bad?

A: A redirect chain occurs when a URL redirects to another URL, which then redirects to yet another URL, and so on. Each additional hop increases page load time, wastes search engine crawl budget, and can cause link equity to diminish at each step. Best practice is to redirect directly from the original URL to the final destination in a single hop.

Q: What is a redirect loop?

A: A redirect loop happens when URL A redirects to URL B, and URL B redirects back to URL A (or through a series of URLs that eventually cycle back). This creates an infinite loop that prevents the page from ever loading, resulting in a browser error. The Redirect Checker can detect and flag these loops.

Q: Can I check shortened URLs like bit.ly or t.co links?

A: Yes. The tool follows the full redirect path of any shortened or masked URL, revealing every intermediate hop and the true final destination — useful for verifying where a link actually leads before clicking it.

Q: How many redirects are acceptable in a chain?

A: Ideally, a URL should reach its final destination in a single redirect (one hop). Google can follow up to 5 redirects in a chain, but each additional hop adds latency and risks losing link equity. Aim to eliminate unnecessary intermediate steps whenever possible.

Q: Does the tool check internal and external URLs?

A: Yes. You can check any publicly accessible URL — whether it is a page on your own website or an external link pointing to another domain. The tool traces the full path regardless of how many different domains are involved in the redirect chain.

Q: Why does my URL show a 302 instead of a 301?

A: This usually indicates a misconfiguration. If the URL change is permanent (such as after a site migration or page restructuring), a 302 means search engines are not transferring link equity to the new URL and may continue indexing the old address. Update your server configuration to use a 301 redirect for permanent moves.

Trace the full redirect path of any URL — use the free Redirect Checker by Amaze SEO Tools to verify status codes, detect redirect chains, and ensure your links reach the right destination!