Medium impactLinks
Redirect Chains and Loops
Multiple hops or redirect loops slow page loads and dilute link equity. Here's how to flatten them.
What it means
A URL redirects to another URL that redirects to another (chain), or two URLs redirect to each other (loop).
Why it matters
Each hop adds latency. Google may stop following long chains entirely, dropping pages from the index.
How to fix it
- Identify chains in your audit (FreeSEO flags them with the full chain).
- Update the original redirect to point directly at the final destination.
- Remove or break loops — usually a config bug in two redirect rules conflicting.
- Aim for at most one hop per redirect.
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Frequently asked questions
How many redirects is too many?
More than 2 hops is worth fixing. Google says it follows up to 5 but signals weaken at each hop.