Is your website playing hide and seek with you? You need to fix the pages of your website that have a page with a redirect error. Have you ever peeked into your Google Search Console and found many “redirect” errors? Do not panic! While redirects are a normal part of website management (think moving content or updating links), they can cause headaches if they are not playing by the rules.
Basically, your website is telling Google, “Go here… no, wait, there!” and that confusion can hurt your SEO. Ready to untangle the redirect mess and get your site back on track? Let us get started.
What Is Page with Redirect Error in Google Search Console?
Page with redirect error occurs when Googlebot, Google’s web crawling bot, tries to access a page on your website but finds that it redirects to another URL instead of serving content directly. When this happens, Google may not index the original page, affecting your site’s visibility in search results.
There are several common reasons why this error might appear in Google Search Console:
- 301 Redirects (Permanent Redirects): This happens when a page is permanently moved to a new URL. While 301 redirects are useful for preserving SEO value, excessive or incorrect redirects can cause indexing issues.
- 302 Redirects (Temporary Redirects): A 302 redirect indicates that a page is temporarily moved. If Google encounters a 302 redirect but suspects the move is actually permanent, it may not index the page properly.
- Meta Refresh Tags: Some websites use meta refresh tags to automatically send users to another page after a set delay. While functional, this method is not SEO-friendly and can confuse search engines.
- JavaScript Redirects: Websites sometimes use JavaScript-based redirections instead of server-side redirects. However, Googlebot might not always execute JavaScript correctly, leading to potential indexing issues.
Why Does the Page with Redirect Error Happen?
Decoding the “Page with Redirect” error in Google Search Console can feel like unraveling a digital mystery. However, understanding the underlying causes empowers you to effectively troubleshoot and resolve these issues.
At its core, this error signifies that Googlebot, the tireless crawler that indexes the web, has encountered a URL on your site that doesn’t deliver the expected content. Instead, it is redirected to a different location. This redirection can stem from several technical factors:
Misconfigured Redirects
The most common culprit is an incorrect redirect setup. Whether it is a 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary) redirect, a simple typo or a flawed rule in your .htaccess file can lead to unintended redirections. For instance, a redirect pointing to a non-existent page or creating a redirect loop will trigger this error.
Broken Internal Links
Imagine a map with incorrect directions. Broken internal links are akin to those faulty directions. If a page contains links pointing to URLs that no longer exist, Googlebot will attempt to follow those links, often encountering a redirect (if one has been set up for the old URL) or a 404 error. The problem is, if that dead link redirects, it creates this error.
Website Migration Challenges
Moving your website to a new domain or platform is a complex undertaking. If not executed meticulously, it can lead to a cascade of redirect errors. During a migration, you will often need to implement numerous redirects to maintain SEO equity. However, if these redirects are implemented incorrectly or if some old URLs are overlooked, Googlebot will flag these issues.
Plugin And Theme Conflicts
In content management systems like WordPress, plugins and themes play a vital role. However, poorly coded or conflicting plugins and themes can interfere with your website’s redirection rules. This can result in unexpected redirects or redirect loops, leading to errors in the Google Search Console.
Page with Redirect Status – It Could Be Both Normal & Problematic
When you hear a page with redirect status, it does not always mean something is wrong with it. Having said that, there are times when this status is very normal. Let us discuss this in detail.
When Is the Page with Redirect Status Normal?
Let us talk about those ‘Page with Redirect’ statuses you see in your SEO reports. They can look alarming, right? Like your website’s throwing up roadblocks for users and search engines. But here is the thing: redirects are not always a problem. In fact, they are often a powerful tool for optimizing your site and improving your SEO.
The core idea is this: sometimes, you have pages you do not want people (or Googlebot) to see anymore. Maybe you have updated content, consolidated pages, or moved to a more secure protocol. Redirects are your way of saying, “Hey, this page has moved! Go here instead.”
Why Redirects Can Be Your SEO Allies?
1. Seamless Website Migrations: The HTTPS Upgrade
Think about switching your website from HTTP to HTTPS. It is a must-do for security and user trust, and Google loves it too. But if you just flip the switch, you will leave behind a trail of old, unsecured URLs. That is where redirects come in.
By implementing 301 redirects from your HTTP pages to their HTTPS counterparts, you ensure that:
- Users land on the secure version: They get the safe browsing experience they expect.
- Google prioritizes the HTTPS pages: Your SEO efforts focus on the version that matters.
- Link equity is preserved: Any backlinks pointing to the old HTTP pages will pass their value to the new HTTPS versions.
This is not just a technicality; it is about providing a better experience for everyone and ensuring your website’s long-term health.
2. Taming Duplicate Content: Keeping Google Focused
Duplicate content is a common issue, even on well-maintained sites. For instance, your homepage might be accessible through homepage.com and www.homepage.com. While it might seem like a small detail, Google sees it as two separate pages with identical content.
To avoid confusion and ensure Google indexes the right version, you can use redirects. For example, you can redirect www.homepage.com to homepage.com, telling Google that the latter is the canonical version.
Redirects also come in handy when:
- Consolidating content: If you are merging multiple pages into one, redirect the old URLs to the new, comprehensive page.
- Handling URL variations: Redirecting similar URLs with minor differences to the preferred version.
By proactively managing duplicate content with redirects, you:
- Help Google understand your site’s structure: This improves crawl efficiency and indexing.
- Prevent content cannibalization: You ensure that the right pages rank for your target keywords.
- Maintain a clean and organized site: This enhances the user experience.
Do not panic when you see ‘Page with Redirect’ statuses. Instead, view them as an opportunity to optimize your site. Redirects, when used strategically, are a powerful SEO tool that can improve user experience, streamline indexing, and ultimately boost your website’s performance. They are not always a problem to be fixed, but a tool to be used.
When Is the Page with Redirect Status a Problem?
Two types of redirects can cause indexing issues on your website. First, there are messy redirects created by mistake. In the next section, we will explain how you can find them in Google Search Console. Second, there are temporary redirects that Google considers to be permanent.
1. The Accidental Mess
We have all been there. You are tweaking something, moving pages, or making site-wide changes, and suddenly, you have created a tangled web of redirects that lead nowhere or loop back on themselves. These “messy redirects” confuse both users and search engines, leading to wasted crawl budget, poor user experience, and ultimately, indexing issues.
How to spot them: The good news is, Google Search Console is your best friend here. It will flag these errors, giving you a chance to clean up the mess.
2. The 302 Trap: When Temporary Turns Permanent (In Google’s Eyes)
Now, let us dive into the trickier issue: the 302 redirects. To understand this, we need a quick refresher on redirect status codes:
301 (Permanent Redirect): Think of this as a “change of address” notification. You are telling search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new location. You want the old page’s link equity to transfer to the new one, and you don’t want the old page indexed.
Use Cases: Website migrations, consolidating duplicate content, permanently removing outdated pages.
302 (Temporary Redirect): This is more like a “hold my spot” message. You are saying that a page has temporarily moved, but it will return. You want the original page to remain indexed.
Use Cases: Seasonal product changes, A/B testing, temporary site maintenance.
Here is the catch: Google, in its infinite wisdom, does not always play by the rules. While a 302 is meant to be temporary, Google might eventually decide to treat it as a 301. This means:
- Your original page, which you intended to keep indexed, could be dropped from the index.
- You could lose valuable traffic and visibility.
Why This Matters:
- Indexing Issues: Vital pages disappear from search results.
- SEO Impact: Loss of link equity and organic traffic.
- User Experience: Confused visitors who may leave your site.
However, redirects are powerful tools, but they require careful management. Regularly audit your redirects, understand the difference between 301 and 302, and keep a watchful eye on Google Search Console. By doing so, you can ensure that your redirects are working for you, not against you.
How to Fix Page with Redirect in Google Search Console?
Do you have any pages that are marked with the ‘Page with redirect’ status in your Google Search Console & want to fix it? Well, let us explore how to find them first & then the process of fixing the status.
Understanding the ‘Page with Redirect’ Report
Google Search Console provides a list of redirected URLs under this status. To access this, open Google Search Console and navigate to Index → Pages from the left menu. And locate the ‘Page with redirect’ status. Here you can see your page indexing report.
Moreover, you can expand this status to see the full list of affected pages and track changes over time. Clicking on ‘Export’ you can download it as a spreadsheet from the upper right corner.
To analyze the redirect pages more, you can inspect individual URLs using the magnifying glass icon beside each URL. Upon clicking on it, URL Inspection Tool will be launched.
However, as Googlebot does not crawl these pages, the Live Test option will only display data for the final target URL—not the original redirected page.
Identifying Redirect Mistakes
To find incorrect redirects that could impact indexing, first filter pages to show only those submitted in your sitemap (top-left corner of the report). If a strategic page is marked “Page with redirect”, it may lose search visibility. If a redirected page does not appear under this status, but is not working as intended, check for a “Redirect error” in the Page indexing report.
BetterLinks: A Solution to Manage Website Redirects Effectively
If you are struggling with redirects on your WordPress sites, BetterLinks can be your savior without affecting the website SEO. With BetterLinks, setting up redirects is much easier than you think. Now, why do you use BetterLinks to set up redirects on your WordPress site?
Managing redirects is a crucial part of maintaining a WordPress website, ensuring smooth navigation and preserving SEO value. This is where BetterLinks comes in—a powerful yet user-friendly WordPress plugin that makes setting up and managing redirects effortless, even for non-developers. Here is why BetterLinks is the perfect choice:
Intuitive & Easy-to-Use Interface
BetterLinks offers a simple, user-friendly interface that requires no coding skills. You can quickly create, edit, and manage redirects directly from your WordPress dashboard with just a few clicks.
Quick Setup & Centralized Management
Installing and configuring BetterLinks is straightforward. With a centralized dashboard, you can effortlessly manage all your redirects in one place—making updates or changes as your website evolves.
Supports Multiple Redirect Types
BetterLinks allows you to set up different types of redirects, including:
✅ 301 (Permanent) – Ideal for content that has permanently moved.
✅ 302 & 307 (Temporary) – Perfect for short-term redirections or A/B testing.
Advanced Link Management & Organization
Beyond redirects, BetterLinks helps you efficiently manage and categorize links, keeping everything organized and easy to track.
Built-in Analytics for Data-Driven Decisions
Get valuable insights with BetterLinks’ built-in analytics. Track how many times a redirected link is clicked, analyze user behavior, and optimize your redirects for better performance.
SEO-Friendly Redirects to Maintain Rankings
BetterLinks ensures your redirects are SEO-optimized, helping search engines understand content updates and preserving your site’s ranking.
With BetterLinks, managing redirects has never been easier. Whether you are restructuring your site, fixing broken links, or optimizing SEO, this plugin is your go-to solution.
Keep Your Website Error-Free & SEO-Optimized
Redirect errors in Google Search Console can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, they are entirely manageable. By understanding why these errors occur and following a structured troubleshooting process, you can ensure your website remains accessible, user-friendly, and SEO-friendly.
If you have found this blog helpful, share your opinion in the comment section and get connected to our Facebook community. You can also subscribe to our blogs for valuable tutorials, guides, knowledge, tips, and the latest WordPress updates.
