When developing or optimizing a website, it is important to monitor how redirects are configured. Incorrect or unnecessary redirects can slow loading, affect indexing, and harm SEO performance. The reChecker online tool checks server-side HTTP redirects for a public URL. This article explains how to use it and what to look for.
What redirects are and why you should check them
A redirect is an automatic transfer of a user or search engine crawler from one URL to another. For example, when you visit http://example.com you may be automatically sent to https://www.example.com.
The most common types of redirects are:
- 301 (Moved Permanently) and 308 (Permanent Redirect) — permanent redirects. For Google, these are strong signals for selecting the target URL as canonical.
- 302 (Found) and 307 (Temporary Redirect) — temporary redirects. For Google, these are weaker signals for selecting the target URL; this status code may be appropriate for a temporary redirect.
- JavaScript and meta refresh — client-side redirects. This tool does not execute them; the HTTP check results do not describe all browser redirects.
Checking redirects helps you:
- Make sure there are no unnecessary intermediate redirects;
- Find infinite loops;
- Determine whether HTTPS and www/non-www are configured correctly;
- Improve loading speed and SEO.
Why choose reChecker
reChecker shows the server-side HTTP redirects it tracks, along with the status codes and headers of the responses received. The check limits the chain length and stops if an address is repeated. Benefits:
- No registration required;
- Fast processing;
- Detailed results showing the steps received and explaining any redirect that was not tracked;
- Suitable for web developers, SEO specialists, and website owners.
How to check redirects with reChecker
Step 1. Go to the website
Open Redirect checker.
Step 2. Enter a URL
Paste the URL of the page you want to check, for example: https://example.com
Click the “Check” button.
Step 3. Review the redirect chain
The service will show the responses received in the tracked chain:
- The original address;
- Intermediate redirects, if any;
- The final address;
- HTTP response types (for example, 301, 302, 200, etc.).
If the request fails or the next redirect is not tracked, read the explanation. This does not confirm that the target page is accessible. A 200 response also does not guarantee that the expected content was received: open the final address.
Step 4. Draw conclusions
If you see:
- Too many redirects — consider shortening the path;
- Redirect loops — fix them as soon as possible;
- 302 or 307 — first determine the purpose of the redirect. This status code may be appropriate for a temporary redirect; a permanent move requires the appropriate status code and verification of the target address.
Tips for optimizing redirects
- Use 301 for permanent page moves;
- Avoid chains longer than 2–3 redirects;
- Always check redirects after changing the URL structure;
- Configure redirects correctly from HTTP to HTTPS and from www to non-www (or vice versa).
When redirecting POST requests, separately check that the method is preserved: 307 and 308 are intended for this purpose. The purpose of the status codes and their search signals are described in Google's documentation; the status code alone does not guarantee that rankings will be maintained.
Conclusion
Redirect analysis is an important part of technical SEO. With reChecker, you can easily find redirect errors and improve website performance. Use this tool regularly when changing your website structure or migrating to a new domain.
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