Question 1

How do I check where a link goes without clicking it?

Accepted Answer

You can use this free Redirect Checker to safely trace the final destination of any shortened link (like bit.ly) or disguised affiliate link. The tool simulates a click, follows every redirect hop (301, 302), and reveals the exact final URL, including any hidden UTM parameters.

Question 2

What is a 301 vs 302 redirect?

Accepted Answer

A 301 redirect is a 'Permanent Redirect'. It tells Google and browsers that a page has permanently moved, passing 100% of SEO link juice to the new URL. A 302 redirect is a 'Temporary Redirect'. It tells search engines to keep the old URL indexed because the move is only temporary.

Question 3

Can too many redirects hurt my SEO?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Redirect chains (A -> B -> C -> D) severely hurt SEO. Google's crawler may stop following the chain after 3-5 hops, meaning the final page won't get indexed. Additionally, each redirect hop adds roughly 100-300ms of latency, which ruins your Core Web Vitals and increases user bounce rate. You should always link directly to the final destination.

Redirect Checker

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