Question 1

What is a redirect chain?

Accepted Answer

A redirect chain is when a URL redirects multiple times before reaching the final destination (A → B → C).

Question 2

How many redirects are too many?

Accepted Answer

Aim for 0–1 hop. Keep important URLs under a few hops; long chains add latency and can waste crawl resources.

Question 3

301 vs 302 vs 307 vs 308?

Accepted Answer

301/308 are permanent redirects; 302/307 are temporary. Choose based on whether the move is permanent or short-lived.

Question 4

Does this tool detect JavaScript/meta refresh redirects?

Accepted Answer

No. It traces server-side HTTP redirects (3xx + Location header). Use browser DevTools to debug client-side redirects.

Question 5

Why does a URL redirect differently in the browser?

Accepted Answer

Differences can be caused by caching, geo/CDN routing, or client-side redirects. Always test from the environment that matters.

Question 6

Can redirects impact SEO?

Accepted Answer

Yes—clean redirects help canonicalization and migrations; chains and loops can waste crawl budget and slow down users.

Redirect Checker: Trace 301/302 Chains & Final URL Online