Redirect chains: count the hops and link to the final address
- Original link /old-page Address printed on a flyer that people still use.
- Redirect /moved-page The page’s address on the previous website.
- Final page /current-page The page’s address on the new website.
How chains happen
A redirect sends readers from one address to another. LinkScan shows the final address and the number of hops. Two or more redirects form a chain.
In my work, this often starts with a short address for printed marketing materials. A QR code points to that address, which redirects to the full page. Later, the page moves and another redirect is added. The printed QR code still uses the original short address, so readers now pass through two hops to reach the current page.
How to fix them
Each hop adds another request and another place where the chain can fail. For links you can edit on your website, use the final address to skip the extra hops. For a short address already printed in a QR code, keep it working and update its redirect to point straight to the current page.
A single ordinary redirect is usually OK. Login, not-found or homepage redirects can receive a different result. Redirect loops are reported as broken.
Suggested fix: Update href to final destination URL.