Link Redirect Tracer
The Link Redirect Tracer is an essential tool for verifying link accuracy, auditing affiliate paths, and troubleshooting SEO issues related to broken or chained redirects. It provides a real-time, step-by-step breakdown of every intermediate URL and HTTP status code in a redirect chain.
Unlike browser-based checks which hide intermediate steps, this tool utilizes a server-side, high-performance FastAPI backend to perform a raw HTTP trace, ensuring the results are complete and accurate.
How to Use
- Enter the URL: In the input field, enter the link you want to trace. This can be a full URL (e.g.,
https://bit.ly/example), a plain domain (e.g.,google.com), or a shortened link. - Trace Link: Click the "Trace Link" button.
- Analyze the Path: The tool immediately displays the full redirect path as a timeline of steps, culminating in the final resolved URL.
Core Features
The Tracer provides deep insight into how a link resolves:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Accurate Step-by-Step Tracing | Shows every intermediate URL and the exact HTTP Status Code (e.g., 301, 302, 307) generated at each point in the chain. |
| Schemeless Input Support | Automatically defaults to HTTPS (or HTTP if HTTPS fails) if you only provide a domain name (e.g., example.com), offering maximum convenience. |
| Redirect Loop Detection | Automatically identifies and halts tracing when a redirect loop occurs (a URL redirects back to itself or an earlier URL in the path), preventing infinite requests. |
| Final Destination Summary | Clearly identifies the Final URL (the URL that returns a 200-level status code) and its final status. |
Understanding the Status Codes
The status codes are key to understanding the redirect type:
- 301 (Moved Permanently): Indicates a permanent change. This is the preferred code for SEO when a page has moved permanently.
- 302/307 (Found / Temporary Redirect): Indicates a temporary redirect. Useful for A/B testing or maintenance.
- 200 (OK): The final step, indicating the URL has successfully loaded its content.
- 4xx / 5xx: Indicates an error occurred during the trace (e.g., 404 Not Found, 500 Server Error).
Future Plans
We plan to expand the Tracer's utility with these features:
- HTTP Header Inspection: Displaying relevant HTTP response headers for each step (e.g.,
Cache-Control,X-Powered-By) to assist with debugging. - Performance Metrics: Measuring and displaying the total time taken for the full redirect chain to resolve.
- API Documentation: Publishing full API documentation for developers who wish to integrate the Link Redirect Tracer logic into their own applications.
Try It Out
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You can access the Link Redirect Tracer app here: Link Redirect Tracer App