Redirect checks for a safe SEO migration
A practical migration workflow that protects users and search signals while domains, protocols, paths, or platforms change.
A migration is not complete when the new site loads. Search engines must be able to map every valuable old URL to a relevant new destination without loops, chains, conflicting canonicals, or accidental blocks.
Build the redirect map from real crawl, analytics, backlink, and sitemap data. Redirecting every missing page to the homepage creates soft errors and discards useful context.
Build a one-to-one redirect map
Match each old URL to the closest equivalent content. Keep query parameters only when they still carry required campaign or application state.
Use 301 or 308 for permanent moves. Avoid chaining protocol, hostname, slash, locale, and path redirects when one hop can reach the canonical URL.
Verify all SEO signals together
The final URL should return 200, declare itself canonical, remain indexable, and appear in the new sitemap. Internal links should point directly to it.
Check robots.txt, noindex directives, hreflang, structured data, and alternate mobile or language URLs for contradictions.
Monitor after launch
Crawl the old URL list after deployment and group failures by loop, chain, 404, 5xx, wrong destination, or blocked target.
Keep redirects long enough for users, crawlers, bookmarks, and external links. Watch server logs and search reports for old URLs you missed.
SEO migration redirect checklist
- Export valuable old URLs before launch.
- Map each URL to the closest relevant destination.
- Keep permanent redirects to one hop where possible.
- Verify final status, canonical, indexability, and sitemap inclusion.
- Update internal links instead of relying on redirects.
- Crawl and monitor both old and new URLs after release.
Related guides
Learn the workflow behind this tool and what to check next.
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