SEO Medium impact Medium 20–40 min

Redirects

Short 301 chains, no loops.

What it is

A redirect sends users and search engines from one URL to another. 301 = permanent (passes SEO strength), 302 = temporary. A chain = multiple redirects in a row.

Why it matters

Long redirect chains slow loading and dilute link equity. A redirect loop makes a page completely inaccessible. The wrong type (302 instead of 301) doesn't pass SEO strength.

How to do it

1Use 301 for permanent moves, not 302.
2Shorten chains to a single hop (A→C, not A→B→C).
3Remove redirect loops.
4After changing a URL, always set up a 301 from the old to the new address.

Conclusion

Keep redirects clean: 301 for permanent changes, one hop, zero loops. During site migrations, correct 301 mapping is essential so you don't lose rankings or links. Check chains regularly.