www Redirect Checker

ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker verifies whether your website correctly redirects between www and non-www URL versions. Over 40% of websites have misconfigured www redirects, causing duplicate content issues that split link equity and confuse search engine crawlers. This tool tests all four URL variants (http/https with and without www) and reports the redirect status of each in seconds.

ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker Overview

Core Functionality

ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker tests your domain across all URL variants to confirm consistent redirection to a single canonical version. Enter your domain, select your preferred URL format, and the tool crawls http://domain.com, http://www.domain.com, https://domain.com, and https://www.domain.com to detect redirect types, status codes, and final destination URLs. The tool also verifies subpage redirects to ensure site-wide consistency beyond the homepage.

Primary Users & Use Cases

Webmasters, SEO specialists, and web developers use this tool most frequently during site audits and domain migrations. E-commerce store owners rely on it after switching to HTTPS to verify that all URL variants resolve correctly. Digital agencies use it as part of their technical SEO audits for client onboarding and quarterly reviews.

Problem & Solution

Websites accessible through both www.example.com and example.com create duplicate content that fragments ranking signals across two separate URLs. ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker identifies these split configurations, reveals missing or incorrect redirects, and provides the HTTP status codes you need to implement fixes. Sites that consolidate their URL versions through proper 301 redirects typically see improved crawl efficiency and more concentrated domain authority.

Key Benefits of WWW Redirect Checker

• Duplicate Content Prevention: Detects when both www and non-www versions serve identical content, flagging the configuration that splits your domain authority between two URLs.

• Link Equity Consolidation: Identifies where backlink value is being divided between URL variants so you can redirect all link power to your preferred canonical domain.

• Complete Variant Testing: Checks all four URL combinations (http/https × www/non-www) in a single scan, covering scenarios that manual browser testing often misses.

• Redirect Type Identification: Distinguishes between 301 permanent and 302 temporary redirects, since only 301 redirects properly transfer ranking signals and page authority.

• Subpage Verification: Tests redirects beyond your homepage to confirm site-wide consistency, catching partial configurations that only redirect the root domain.

• SSL Configuration Validation: Confirms that HTTPS redirects work alongside www/non-www preferences, ensuring your security setup does not conflict with URL canonicalization.

• Instant Status Code Reporting: Returns HTTP response codes for each URL variant within seconds, eliminating the need to manually test four separate addresses in your browser.

Core Features of WWW Redirect Checker

• Multi-Variant Scanning: Tests http, https, www, and non-www URLs simultaneously to map every redirect path from your domain.

• 301 vs 302 Detection: Identifies redirect types so you can confirm permanent redirects are in place rather than temporary ones that fail to pass link equity.

• Redirect Chain Tracing: Follows the complete redirect path from origin to destination, revealing unnecessary intermediate hops that slow page loading and waste crawl budget.

• HTTP Header Analysis: Displays full server response headers for each URL variant, including status codes, location headers, and server type information.

• Broken Redirect Detection: Flags redirect loops, dead ends, and 404 errors in your URL resolution chain that prevent users and crawlers from reaching your content.

• Canonical URL Verification: Confirms whether all URL variants resolve to the same final destination, matching your intended canonical domain preference.

• DNS Resolution Check: Verifies that both www and non-www hostnames resolve at the DNS level before testing HTTP redirects.

• Protocol Consistency Testing: Ensures HTTP-to-HTTPS upgrades work correctly alongside www preference settings, preventing mixed-protocol redirect conflicts.

• Bulk Domain Support: Test multiple domains in a single session when auditing website portfolios or client accounts.

• Mobile and Desktop Parity: Confirms redirect behavior is consistent across user agents, ensuring mobile visitors receive the same canonical URL as desktop users.

How ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker Works

1. Enter your domain in the input field without any prefix. The tool automatically constructs all four URL variants for testing.

2. Select your preferred URL format (www or non-www, HTTP or HTTPS) to define the expected canonical destination.

3. Click "Check Redirect" to initiate simultaneous requests to all four URL variants from the ToolsPivot server.

4. Review the results table showing each variant's HTTP status code, redirect type (301/302/307), and final destination URL.

5. Identify misconfigurations highlighted in the report, such as missing redirects, incorrect redirect types, or chain redirects that need correction.

When to Use WWW Redirect Checker

Run this check whenever you modify your server configuration, migrate domains, or install SSL certificates. URL canonicalization issues can emerge silently after hosting changes, CMS updates, or CDN configuration adjustments.

• After SSL Certificate Installation: Verify that HTTP-to-HTTPS redirects work correctly alongside your www preference without creating redirect loops.

• During Website Migration: Confirm that domain moves preserve your canonical URL structure and all variants point to the new destination.

• Quarterly SEO Audits: Include www redirect verification in routine technical SEO checks to catch configuration drift before it impacts rankings.

• After Hosting Provider Changes: New server environments may not carry over your redirect rules, requiring verification of all URL variants.

• When Rankings Drop Unexpectedly: Duplicate content from misconfigured www redirects is a common hidden cause of ranking fluctuations.

• Before Backlink Campaigns: Ensure all inbound link destinations resolve to a single canonical URL so new backlinks consolidate authority instead of splitting it.

• CDN Configuration Changes: Content delivery network setups can override or conflict with server-level redirect rules, requiring independent verification.

Use Cases / Applications

E-Commerce Store Migration

• Context: An online retailer moves from HTTP to HTTPS after installing an SSL certificate.
• Process:
  • Tests all four URL variants to confirm HTTPS resolution
  • Verifies that product pages and category URLs redirect consistently
  • Checks for redirect chains that add latency to page loads
• Outcome: All 4,200+ product URLs resolve to a single HTTPS www canonical version, preserving the store's accumulated domain authority.

Multi-Site Agency Audit

• Context: A digital marketing agency onboards 15 new client websites for SEO management.
• Process:
  • Batch-tests each domain's www redirect configuration
  • Documents redirect types and chain lengths per client
  • Flags domains with 302 redirects instead of 301s
• Outcome: Identifies seven clients with split URL configurations, prioritizing fixes that consolidate ranking signals across their domains.

WordPress HTTPS Upgrade

• Context: A content publisher enables HTTPS on their WordPress blog after years on HTTP.
• Process:
  • Verifies that wp-admin, front-end pages, and media URLs all redirect correctly
  • Checks for mixed content warnings caused by incomplete redirect rules
  • Confirms .htaccess rules handle both www and protocol redirects
• Outcome: Complete redirect coverage across 800+ blog posts with zero redirect loops or broken chains.

Domain Consolidation Project

• Context: A company merges three legacy domains into a single primary domain.
• Process:
  • Tests each legacy domain's redirect to the new canonical URL
  • Verifies 301 redirect implementation for permanent transfer signals
  • Checks that deep links on legacy domains reach corresponding pages on the new domain
• Outcome: All three domains correctly 301-redirect to the consolidated domain, transferring accumulated backlink value.

Understanding Redirect Types and Their SEO Impact

HTTP redirect status codes determine how search engines interpret URL changes. A 301 redirect signals permanent relocation and transfers approximately 90-99% of link equity to the destination URL. A 302 redirect indicates a temporary move and historically did not pass full ranking signals, though Google has improved its handling of 302s in recent years. A 307 redirect is the HTTP/1.1 equivalent of a 302, enforcing that the request method remains unchanged during redirection.

Key Redirect Codes:

• 301 Moved Permanently: Preferred for www canonicalization. Passes link equity and consolidates indexing signals.
• 302 Found (Temporary): Should not be used for permanent www preference. May not transfer full ranking authority.
• 307 Temporary Redirect: Similar to 302 but strictly preserves the HTTP method. Not suitable for permanent URL canonicalization.
• 308 Permanent Redirect: HTTP/1.1 equivalent of 301. Preserves HTTP method while signaling permanent relocation.

How to Fix Common WWW Redirect Issues

Most www redirect problems stem from incomplete server configuration. Apache servers use .htaccess RewriteRules to redirect all non-preferred variants, while Nginx servers require explicit server blocks for each hostname. WordPress sites can set the preferred URL in Settings > General, but manual server-level redirects provide more reliable enforcement across all request types.

Common Fixes:

• Apache (.htaccess): Add RewriteCond and RewriteRule directives to force www or non-www preference with 301 status.
• Nginx: Create a separate server block that listens for the non-preferred hostname and returns a 301 to the preferred version.
• WordPress: Update both "WordPress Address" and "Site Address" fields to your preferred URL format, then add server-level redirects as backup.
• CDN/Cloudflare: Configure page rules or redirect rules at the edge to handle www canonicalization before requests reach your origin server.

Related Tools

Complete your workflow with these complementary ToolsPivot tools:

• Hosting Checker: Identify your website's hosting provider and server details to troubleshoot redirect configurations.
• Server Status Checker: Verify that your web server is responding correctly before testing redirect behavior.
• Domain Age Checker: Check domain registration history when evaluating legacy domains for redirect consolidation.
• Backlink Checker: Audit inbound links to confirm they point to your canonical URL variant.
• Robots.txt Generator: Create proper crawl directives that complement your redirect configuration.
• Sitemap Generator: Generate XML sitemaps using your canonical URL format to reinforce preferred URL signals.

Frequently Asked Questions About WWW Redirect Checker

What is a WWW redirect checker?

A WWW redirect checker tests whether your website properly redirects between www and non-www URL versions using a consistent 301 redirect. ToolsPivot's tool checks all four URL combinations (http/https with www/non-www) and reports the status code and final destination for each.

Why does www vs non-www matter for SEO?

Search engines treat www.example.com and example.com as two separate URLs. Without a redirect consolidating both to one version, backlinks and ranking signals split between them, reducing your site's overall authority.

What is the difference between a 301 and 302 redirect?

A 301 redirect signals a permanent move and transfers link equity to the destination URL. A 302 redirect indicates a temporary change and may not pass full ranking authority, making it unsuitable for permanent www canonicalization.

How do I check if my website has a www redirect?

Enter your domain in ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker. The tool tests all URL variants and reports whether each one redirects to your preferred canonical URL with the correct status code.

Should I use www or non-www for my website?

Neither option offers an SEO advantage over the other. The critical factor is choosing one version and configuring 301 redirects from all other variants to your preferred choice. Large sites with multiple subdomains may benefit from www for cookie management flexibility.

What is a redirect chain and why is it harmful?

A redirect chain occurs when one URL redirects to another, which redirects to yet another before reaching the final destination. Each hop adds page load time, wastes crawl budget, and can dilute link equity. Google may stop following chains after five hops.

How do I fix a www redirect on Apache servers?

Add a RewriteRule to your .htaccess file that matches the non-preferred hostname and issues a 301 redirect to your canonical version. Ensure the rule covers all subpages, not just the homepage.

Can incorrect www redirects cause my site to be deindexed?

Incorrect redirects typically do not cause deindexing, but they can cause duplicate content issues that dilute your rankings. Using 302 redirects instead of 301s for permanent URL preferences is a common mistake that weakens authority transfer.

How often should I check my www redirects?

Verify your www redirects after any server configuration change, hosting migration, SSL installation, or CMS update. Include a quarterly check in your routine SEO audit using the WHOIS Lookup Tool and this redirect checker together.

Does ToolsPivot's WWW Redirect Checker test HTTPS redirects too?

Yes. The tool tests all four protocol and hostname combinations: http://domain.com, http://www.domain.com, https://domain.com, and https://www.domain.com. This ensures both your www preference and HTTPS enforcement work correctly together.

What causes redirect loops between www and non-www?

Redirect loops happen when one server rule redirects www to non-www while another redirects non-www back to www. This creates an infinite cycle that prevents the page from loading. Check for conflicting rules in your .htaccess file, server config, and CDN settings.

How do www redirects affect page load speed?

Each redirect adds approximately 100-300ms of latency depending on server response time. Proper configuration with a single 301 redirect adds minimal delay, but redirect chains with multiple hops can noticeably slow page loading speed and harm user experience.