Redirect Detector
Track and analyze URL redirect chains to see the complete path. View status codes, response headers, and timing for each redirect step securely.
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Start Tracing Redirects
Enter any URL to trace its complete redirect chain and analyze each step
🔒 Secure Server-Based Analysis
How to Use Redirect Detector
- 1
Enter URL to Trace
Input the URL you want to analyze for redirects. Include the full URL with protocol (http:// or https://) for accurate redirect chain analysis.
Tip:This works great for shortened URLs, marketing links, or any URL you suspect might redirect multiple times. - 2
Start Redirect Analysis
Click 'Trace Redirects' to follow the complete redirect chain from start to final destination with detailed step-by-step tracking.
Tip:The tool will follow up to 10 redirects to prevent infinite loops and ensure reasonable response times. - 3
Review Redirect Chain
Examine each step in the redirect chain, including status codes, response times, headers, and the progression through each URL.
Tip:Look for 301 (permanent) vs 302 (temporary) redirects, and check for any suspicious intermediate URLs. - 4
Analyze Final Destination
See where the URL ultimately leads and verify it's the expected destination for security, functionality, and performance analysis.
Tip:This is especially important for shortened URLs or links from untrusted sources to ensure safety.
Security & Privacy
- Server-side redirect following with input sanitization.
- No target URLs or results are logged or stored.
- Rate limits protect the service from abuse.
Features & Benefits
Full Redirect Chain Tracking
Complete visibility into redirect chains showing every step from initial URL to final destination with detailed progression.
Status Code Analysis
Comprehensive HTTP status code tracking for each redirect step including 301, 302, 307, 308 and error codes.
Response Headers Inspection
Detailed header analysis for each redirect including Location, Cache-Control, Server information, and security headers.
Timing Analysis
Response time measurement for each redirect step to identify performance bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
Security Validation
Built-in security features including private IP blocking, infinite loop detection, and safe HEAD-only requests.
Privacy-First Processing
URLs are not logged or stored, and only HEAD requests are sent to maintain privacy while providing comprehensive analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many redirects can the tool follow?
The tool follows up to 10 redirects in a chain to prevent infinite loops and ensure reasonable response times. Most legitimate redirect chains are much shorter.
What information is shown for each redirect?
For each step, you'll see the URL, HTTP status code, response time, and relevant headers like Location, Server, and Cache-Control for comprehensive analysis.
Is it safe to use with suspicious URLs?
Yes! The tool only sends HEAD requests and doesn't download content or execute scripts. It also blocks private IP addresses for security.
Why might a redirect trace fail?
Traces can fail if the URL is invalid, the server is down, blocks HEAD requests, has CORS restrictions, or if you're trying to trace private/internal URLs.
Do you store the URLs I trace?
No, URLs are processed server-side for CORS bypass but are not logged or stored anywhere. All data is immediately discarded after analysis.
Can I analyze redirect loops or circular redirects?
Yes, the tool can detect redirect loops and circular redirects. It will stop following the chain when it detects a URL that has already been visited.
Technical Specifications
Use Cases & Applications
Shortened URL Safety Check
Verify where bit.ly, tinyurl, or other shortened URLs actually lead before clicking them to protect against malicious redirects.
Marketing Campaign Analysis
Track marketing URLs through redirect chains to understand campaign flow, attribution tracking, and conversion funnel optimization.
SEO Redirect Audit
Analyze website redirects to ensure proper 301/302 usage, avoid redirect chains that hurt SEO, and optimize page authority flow.
Link Verification & QA
Verify that affiliate links, referral URLs, or third-party links work correctly and lead to expected destinations without errors.
Website Migration Testing
Test redirect implementations during website migrations to ensure all old URLs properly redirect to new destinations.
Phishing & Security Analysis
Analyze suspicious links and email URLs to detect phishing attempts and malicious redirect chains before accessing them.