...
Check My IP
Home / Tools / URL Redirect Checker
Live Tool

URL Redirect Checker

Trace the full redirect chain of any URL. See every hop, HTTP status code and final destination. Detect 301 permanent redirects, 302 temporary redirects, redirect loops and suspicious redirect chains that may indicate link hijacking.

Include http:// or https://  ·  Works with short links, bit.ly, t.co, any URL
Enter a URL above to trace its redirect chain

What Is a URL Redirect?

A URL redirect is a server instruction that sends visitors and search engines from one URL to another. When you click a link and briefly see the browser address bar change before landing on the final page, you have followed a redirect.

Redirects are used legitimately to handle domain migrations, URL structure changes, short links, affiliate tracking and geographic routing. However, they can also be used maliciously — redirect chains can hide the true destination of a link, obscure affiliate injections, or lead users to phishing pages.

Understanding the full redirect chain before clicking a suspicious link is an important security practice. Malicious actors often use multiple redirect hops through legitimate domains to disguise the final destination from URL scanners and email filters.

HTTP Status Codes Explained

301
Moved Permanently
The resource has permanently moved to a new URL. Search engines transfer link equity to the new URL. Best for SEO migrations.
302
Found (Temporary)
The resource has temporarily moved. Search engines do not transfer link equity. Used for A/B testing and temporary campaigns.
307
Temporary Redirect
Like 302 but explicitly preserves the HTTP method. POST requests stay as POST after the redirect rather than being converted to GET.
200
OK — Final Destination
The request succeeded and the content was returned. This is the final stop in any redirect chain — the actual page content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a redirect loop?
A redirect loop occurs when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects back to URL A, creating an infinite cycle. Browsers detect this after a few hops and display an error message. Redirect loops are caused by misconfigured server rules and break access to the affected pages.
Do redirect chains hurt SEO?
Yes. Each redirect hop adds latency and can reduce the amount of link equity passed through the chain. Search engines have limits on how many hops they will follow. Long redirect chains also slow down page loading for users. Best practice is to redirect directly from the original URL to the final destination using a single hop.
How can I spot a suspicious redirect?
Check if the final destination domain differs from what you expected when you clicked the link. Multiple hops through unfamiliar domains, redirects that pass through ad networks or tracking services, or a final URL on a completely different domain from the original are all warning signs worth investigating before proceeding.
What is the difference between 301 and 302 redirects?
A 301 redirect tells browsers and search engines the move is permanent — link equity and ranking signals transfer to the new URL. A 302 redirect signals a temporary move — search engines keep the original URL indexed and do not transfer ranking signals. Using the wrong redirect type is a common SEO mistake during site migrations.
Why do short links use redirects?
URL shorteners like bit.ly, t.co and others store a mapping between a short code and the full destination URL. When you visit the short link, their server issues a redirect to the real destination. This allows them to track click analytics and change the destination after the link has been shared.
Can this tool trace JavaScript redirects?
No. This tool traces server-side HTTP redirects (301, 302, 307, 308) that are sent in response headers. JavaScript redirects and meta refresh redirects execute in the browser and cannot be detected without a full browser rendering engine. Server-side redirects are the most common type used by legitimate services.