Fix “Redirect Error” in Google Search Console

The “Redirect error” status in Google Search Console signals that intended bots failed to reach the destination URL, either due to a flawed redirect setup or URL-level error, resulting in non-indexed pages. It’s crucial to prioritize fixing these errors to prevent severe SEO issues, such as wasted crawl budget and ranking signal loss.

Why “Redirect Error” in Google Search Console?

1. The redirect setup to transfer bots and users to another page failed.
2. Googlebot received a 3xx redirect response code but faced an error during redirection.
3. Googlebot couldn’t reach the destination page within the specified redirect.

While occasional Google issues may occur, “Redirect error” typically originates from internal website problems and a lack of SEO expertise in redirect implementation.

Common Issues for “Redirect Error” in Search Indexing

1. Too many redirects in a row: Redirect chains, with multiple URLs between the original and final destination, strain resources and may prompt Google to stop following redirects.
2. Additional redirects in a chain: Google follows up to 5 redirects in a chain, and excessive redirects can cause issues.
3. Redirect loops: A redirect loop happens when a page redirects back to itself, creating a circular redirection pattern.
4. Incorrect redirect URLs: Errors at the URL level, like malformed URLs or exceeding the maximum length, can cause redirect failures.

How to Fix “Redirect Error” in Google Search Console?

Google bots try to visit and crawl your website. When they cannot visit the webpage due to any error in page redirection, it shows in the Google Search Console page status as “Redirect error”.

To address “Redirect error,” it’s essential to:

1. Fix redirect chains and loops by minimizing redirects and ensuring a direct path from the original to the final URL.
2. Review and update internal linking to avoid wasting crawl budget on redirected pages.
3. Implement new redirects with a well-prepared plan, following SEO best practices.
4. Regularly check and update redirects, as changes may not immediately reflect in Google Search Console.

Analyzing affected pages in Google Search Console and using tools like Link Redirect Trace or SEO crawlers can help identify and resolve issues. A systematic approach, including a redirection plan, is crucial for successful resolution.

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In conclusion, proper redirect implementation is vital for a healthy website migration and enhanced user experience. For comprehensive technical SEO analysis and assistance with redirect errors, seeking professional services is recommended.