Redirect Chain
01 Definition
Redirect Chain meaning: A sequence where one URL redirects to another, which then redirects again before reaching the final page.
A redirect chain happens when a URL points to a second URL that points to a third, and so on, before the browser lands on the real destination. Each hop adds delay and can dilute crawl efficiency. Search engines usually follow a limited number of hops before giving up.
Also called
Why it matters
How Redirect Chain fits the work
Chains slow page loads for users and waste crawl budget, so collapsing them to a single hop keeps navigation fast and links clean.
In context
The old link redirected to the http version, then to www, then to the new slug, creating a three-hop chain that we flattened to one direct 301.
Practical note
Update each redirect to point straight at the final URL instead of an intermediate one; Google may stop following after roughly five hops in a single chain.