How to fix: URLs with a permanent redirect

Issue: Permanent redirects (301/308) are useful but can waste crawl budget if overused. Too many redirects can also confuse users and slow down their browsing experience.

Fix: Review your permanent redirects and replace them with direct target URLs wherever possible.

How to Fix for Beginners

1. Identify Redirects: Use an SEO tool to find URLs that redirect users to another page using 301 or 308 redirects.
   • Example: https://example.com/old-page permanently redirects to https://example.com/new-page.
2. Update Internal Links: Replace links to the redirected URL with links to the final destination page.
   • Example: Change links pointing to https://example.com/old-page to point directly to https://example.com/new-page.
3. Limit Chains: Avoid redirect chains where a URL redirects multiple times before reaching the final page.
   • Example: Instead of Page A -> Page B -> Page C, make it Page A -> Page C.
4. Check for Unnecessary Redirects: Remove redirects that no longer serve a purpose or are outdated.
   • Example: If https://example.com/temp-redirect was a temporary fix, delete it and use the final page link.
5. Monitor Crawl Efficiency: Use tools like Google Search Console to track your crawl budget and ensure search engines can efficiently access your site.

Tip: Minimizing unnecessary redirects improves crawl efficiency, speeds up navigation, and enhances user experience.