How to use Redirect Checker
- Enter the URL to trace — start with http:// to check the HTTPS upgrade too.
- Optionally lower the maximum number of hops.
- Run the trace and inspect each hop; the Findings list suggests fixes.
Redirect Checker features
- Follows up to 10 hops and lists URL, status, meaning, Location header and time per hop
- Summary of redirect count, final status, final URL, total latency and HTTPS state
- Loop detection and warnings for long chains, temporary redirects used for permanent moves, relative Location headers and HTTPS downgrades
- Highlights host changes across the chain (http → https → www)
- CSV export of the chain for SEO migration audits
Redirect Checker example
Trace an old blog URL
Input:
http://example.com/blog/postOutput:
1 http://example.com/blog/post 301 → https://example.com/blog/post 38 ms
2 https://example.com/blog/post 301 → https://www.example.com/blog/post 41 ms
3 https://www.example.com/blog/post 200 120 ms
Findings: Long chain (2 redirects) — point the original URL straight at the final one · HTTPS upgrade at hop 2.Frequently asked questions about Redirect Checker
How many redirects are acceptable?
Ideally one. Every hop costs a round trip and search engines pass slightly less ranking signal through long chains. The tool warns when a chain has more than two redirects or crosses several hosts.
What is a redirect loop?
A chain that returns to a URL it has already visited (A → B → A). Browsers give up with ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS. The relay detects loops and stops early.
Why start with http:// instead of https://?
Starting from plain HTTP shows whether the site upgrades to HTTPS, with which status code, and whether the www/non-www canonicalisation happens in the same hop or adds another redirect.
Why do results differ from what I see in my browser?
The relay sends a generic request without your cookies, language or device headers. Sites that redirect based on login state, geolocation or User-Agent may behave differently.
Technical notes
Redirects are followed by the Mutqan relay without cookies or browser headers; 301/302/303/307/308 are all followed and the method downgrade rules are noted but not applied because only GET requests are traced.