Why do I have redirect chains? on Custom CMS

A redirect chain (A → B → C → final URL) means users and crawlers go through several hops before reaching the destination.

• Repeated migrations or URL changes without updating the first redirect Mix of
• Use a crawler or redirect checker to follow redirects from key URLs
• Update all redirects to point directly to the final URL Update internal

A redirect chain (A → B → C → final URL) means users and crawlers go through several hops before reaching the destination. Chains slow down crawling, can reduce pass-through of link equity, and make debugging harder. Google recommends direct redirects to the final URL. Finding and flattening chains (so every redirect goes straight to the target) improves crawl efficiency and keeps signals clear. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm…

Repeated migrations or URL changes without updating the first redirect. Mix of HTTP to HTTPS, then to www, then to a path change. Different systems (CDN, server, app) each adding a redirect. Old links or sitemaps pointing to intermediate URLs. Consolidating domains or paths over time without cleaning up.

Common examples

A real-world example: after a site update, a business saw visibility drop for "Redirect chains". They checked Search Console, found the blocking issue, fixed it, and regained impressions over the following crawl cycles.

How to diagnose

Use a crawler or redirect checker to follow redirects from key URLs. Look for chains (3+ hops). Check sitemap and internal links: do they point to the final URL or an intermediate one? Audit server and CDN config for redundant redirect rules. Test from different start URLs (http, https, www, non-www).

Recommended fixes

Update all redirects to point directly to the final URL. Update internal links and sitemap to use the canonical URL. Remove or consolidate redundant redirect rules on server and CDN. Ensure one canonical choice (e.g. https + www) and redirect everything else in one step. Re-crawl and verify chain length. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task. Practical context: prioritise one representative URL, confirm the exact blocker with Search Console and live testing, then apply the fix in templates or settings so the issue does not repeat site-wide. Track impressions, indexed page counts, and click recovery for at least two crawl cycles before closing the task.