How to find out or check where link or URL redirects to

A website can lose not only visitors but search engine rankings as well if the search engine is not able to follow URLs to that site. It is therefore essential to get the redirects correctly in place. These tools can help you find if the links or URLs redirect to a location, as desired.

A large number of short URL generators are used to cut short the long address of websites just to save people’s efforts of typing out long URLs. However, there lies an inherent danger, and that is finding where exactly these links point. Then again, sometimes you might want even to check and confirm whether a regular-looking URL actually goes to the desired destination or not. Unreliable ones may trick people into redirecting to malicious sites that are all set to install malware on your computer.

How to find out or check where a link or URL redirects to

Any of this online URL checkers can reveal the final link which could have been hidden in the redirects.

1. Redirect Detective
2. Wheregoes.com
3. Webconfs
4. Redirect Check

You can any of the services, and they work equally well.

1] Redirect Detective

This website allows you to trace a URL redirect. Redirects have two main types:

1. Redirects specified in the HTTP Headers
2. Redirects specified in the HTML source

RedirectDetective.com is capable of detecting HTTP redirects. If a redirect points to another page which in turn points back to where it came from, it results in an endless redirect loop. Redirect Detective can handle a maximum of 10 redirects before hanging up.

2] Wheregoes.com

Using this website, one can find if the entire path of redirects and meta-refreshes leads to the desired destination. In addition to this, it lets you perform a thorough check, diagnose complex link problems, and troubleshoot links.

3] Webconfs

This tool helps you determine if the redirect you have created is Search Engine Friendly or not. Simply copy-paste the URL whose Redirect you want to check and hit the submit button.

4] Redirect Check

This website is quite simple in function. It displays a blank field where a user can enter a URL address and trace it. The headers of each redirection become visible under the address entered.

Do use these tools if you want to check where a shortened URL goes or if you need to confirm a regular but doubtful link’s real destination.

What is a tracking URL?

Tracking URLs are standard links attached with tracking and analytics parameters. These parameters enable content to be adjusted to increase engagement, traffic, and conversions by properly assessing the traffic to URLs.

How do redirects work?

The URL you enter into your browser or the link you click sends a request to the website’s server. When a request reaches the server, a 301 redirect, which means “moved permanently,” is sent, automatically rerouting it to a different position.