How to Trace a URL Redirect Path Checking the exact route of a link takes just one click. Follow these steps:
Enter Your URL: Paste the web address you want to test into the search bar. This can be a shortened link, an affiliate link, or a page on your own website.
Trace the Link: Click the check button. Our tool will instantly follow the URL's path across the internet.
Analyze the Chain: View the step-by-step breakdown of the redirect chain. We display the exact HTTP status codes (like 301, 302, or 200 OK) for every "hop" the link makes.
Find the Destination: See the final destination URL to verify that the link lands exactly where it is supposed to.
Why Do You Need a Redirect Checker? Redirects are a normal part of the internet, but when configured incorrectly, they destroy your website's SEO and user experience. Auditing your URLs helps you solve three major problems:
Site Migrations: When you move your website to a new domain or switch from HTTP to HTTPS, you must use 301 redirects. This tool verifies that your old links point exactly to your new pages without breaking.
Affiliate Link Tracking: Marketers use shortened links (like bit.ly) or affiliate trackers that bounce through multiple domains. Tracing the link ensures your affiliate code remains intact at the final destination.
Malware & Phishing: Never click a suspicious short-link in an email. Paste it into our checker to safely reveal where it actually goes without exposing your browser to a malicious website.
301 vs. 302 Redirects: The SEO Impact Search engines like Google treat different HTTP status codes very differently. Knowing which one your site is using is critical for your rankings:
301 Moved Permanently: This is the gold standard for SEO. It tells Google that a page has moved forever. Crucially, a 301 redirect passes almost all of the "link equity" (SEO power) from the old URL to the new one.
302 Found (Temporary): This tells Google that the page has moved, but it will come back soon. Because it is temporary, search engines do not pass SEO link equity to the new destination. Using a 302 when you meant to use a 301 will severely hurt your search rankings.
Beware of Redirect Chains and Loops A redirect chain happens when URL A redirects to URL B, which redirects to URL C. This is bad for SEO because Googlebot may stop following the chain before reaching the final page, meaning your content won't get indexed. It also slows down page loading times for real users. An "infinite loop" (URL A redirects to B, which redirects back to A) will break the page entirely. Our tool highlights these chains so you can fix them.