Redirect chain
A redirect chain sends a request through more than one redirect before its final destination. Extra hops add requests and complicate maintenance.
Chains build up over years of migrations. A link to an old URL might now pass through three redirects to land on the current page.
The fix is to point every redirect straight at the final destination, so there is exactly one hop.
A practical example
An old article redirects to a previous slug, which then redirects to the current slug.
A common mistake
Updating only the last redirect while menus still link to the oldest address.
How to check it
Record every status and Location header. Point appropriate old URLs and internal links to the final relevant destination.
Related terms
See what is broken on your website
Get a free technical SEO audit. Real checks on your real site, with fixes your developer can act on. No sales call required.
We explain every finding in your audit in plain language, like this.