A redirect checker helps identify how a URL behaves behind the scenes—whether it forwards to another location, how many times it redirects, and if it's doing so securely. It’s an essential cybersecurity and SEO tool for revealing shady redirects, troubleshooting website issues, and protecting users from phishing.

A redirect checker is an online tool that tracks the full redirection path of a URL, including every 301, 302, 307, and even JavaScript-based redirect. It shows you exactly where the link leads—step by step.

You paste a URL, and it tells you:

• If it redirects
• How many times
• Which servers are involved
• Whether it ends in an error or the final destination

🛡 Why Cybersecurity Pros Use Redirect Checkers

1. Catch Phishing Redirects
   Hackers often use link shorteners or double redirects to hide malicious destinations. Redirect checkers expose those layers.
2. Spot Redirect Loops
   These can crash browsers or expose backend misconfigurations that attackers exploit.
3. SSL Downgrade Detection
   Some redirects move users from HTTPS to HTTP—leaving data unencrypted.
4. Track Unauthorized URL Hijacks
   Malicious actors may silently redirect your links to scam pages or affiliate spam.

🔧 Redirect Codes You’ll Encounter

CodeMeaningRisk Level301 | Permanent redirect | ✅ Safe
302 | Temporary redirect | ⚠️ Can be spoofed
307 | Temporary, preserves method | ⚠️ Watch usage
308 | Permanent, preserves method | ✅ Safe
4xx/5xx | Error pages | ❌ Potential issue

🔍 Best Redirect Checker Tools

Tool NameShows PathShows HeadersFree to UseError DetectionWhereGoes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅
Redirect Detective | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅
httpstatus.io | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅
SEO Site Checkup | ✅ | Limited | ✅ (Limited) | ✅

💻 Developer Tip

You can use cURL to check redirection in terminal:

bash
Copy

Editcurl -I -L https://example.com

Or in Python:

python
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Editimport requests
r = requests.get("https://example.com", allow_redirects=True)
print([resp.url for resp in r.history])

🧩 Final Thoughts

Redirect checkers don’t just help with SEO—they’re critical security tools that uncover hidden redirections, protect users, and detect shady behavior. Whether you're testing your own site or investigating suspicious links, a redirect checker is a must-have in your cybersecurity toolkit.

Always know where a link really goes.