Why check old URLs after a relaunch?
With a new website, URLs almost always change. Every old URL without a redirect becomes a 404: visitors from Google, bookmarks and links on other sites land on an error page, and the authority that page had built up disappears. It is the most common reason organic traffic drops after a relaunch.
What does this tool check?
We follow every URL step by step, without skipping the redirects automatically, so you see the whole chain. For each URL you get a verdict: OK, temporary redirect, redirect chain, redirect to the homepage, 404 or server error. The most serious problems are listed first.
Google's documentation on redirects and Google Search describes which redirect types it treats as permanent.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use a redirect checker?
Right after launching a new website or switching domains, and again a few weeks later. Paste the URLs that used to get traffic or links: old product pages, blog posts, campaign landing pages.
What is the difference between a 301 and a 302?
A 301 (or 308) says a page has moved permanently. A 302 (or 307) is temporary. A migration needs a permanent redirect, so search engines replace the old URL with the new one.
Why is a redirect to the homepage a problem?
A visitor who was looking for a specific page lands on a general one. Google often treats such a redirect as a soft 404, so most of the value of the old page is lost. Send every old URL to the closest matching new page.
How many redirects in a row are too many?
Every extra step costs load time and crawl budget. Aim for a single redirect from the old URL to the final one. Chains often appear after several relaunches, or from http to https and then again to www.
Where do I get my list of old URLs?
From Google Search Console (Performance, Pages tab), from an export of your old sitemap, from your analytics, or from a crawl of the old site made before launch.