What a redirect chain shows
A redirect chain lists each step between the URL you enter and the final destination. It may include http to https moves, www changes, trailing slash normalization, old route aliases, or content moves.
What to review
- The final URL should be the intended canonical page.
- Extra hops should be removed where practical.
- Loops should be fixed immediately.
- Old URLs should point to the closest useful replacement.
Common mistakes
Many sites redirect everything to the homepage when a page moves. That can confuse users and search engines. Use a direct replacement when one exists, and keep sitemap entries on the final canonical URLs.
FAQ
Are redirects bad?
No. Redirects are useful when pages move. Problems come from loops, unnecessary chains, and misleading destinations.
Should redirected URLs be in the sitemap?
No. The sitemap should list the final indexable URL.