Safe Redirect Manager is located under Tools, Tools > Safe Redirect Manager.
When to Use a Safe Redirect
Use a safe redirect for deleted pages, renamed pages, shorter URLs, or related links to your website.
| Redirect Examples | Purpose | From URL | To URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deleted webpages | These links help redirect traffic from bookmarks or search engines to a webpage rather than a "Page not found" webpage | https://web.wsu.edu/web-training/spine-theme-training/ | https://web.wsu.edu/web-training/wds-training/ |
| Renamed webpages | Wordpress will try to find the correct page, adding a redirect will prevent a "Page not found" webpage. | https://web.wsu.edu/web-design-system-training/ | https://web.wsu.edu/web-training/wds-training/ |
| Short URLs | These are easy links that are easy to use and remember | https://web.wsu.edu/ga4-update | https://web.wsu.edu/blog/2023/03/03/ga4-update/ |
| Related Links | These help connect a related link that is not housed with your website. | https://web.wsu.edu/web-support-ticket | https://jira.esg.wsu.edu/plugins/servlet/desk/portal/46?requestGroup=88 |
What You Will Need
You will need two URLs, the Redirect From: and the Redirect To:.
Use the whole URL, including the http:// or https://. The Redirect From: field will format the URL entered to the appropriate entry.
Wildcard
Safe Redirect Manager supports a wildcard (*) for matching Redirect From: URLs or Redirect To: URLs.
| Redirect From: | Redirect To: | Result | Example Redirect From: | Example Redirect To: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://web.wsu.edu/* | https://ucomm.wsu.edu/web/ | All webpage from the redirect from URL will go to the redirect to webpage. | https://web.wsu.edu/need-help | https://ucomm.wsu.edu/web/ |
| https://web.wsu.edu/ | https://web.wsu.edu/* | Adding * to the end of the redirect will add the path to the end of the redirect to URL. | https://web.wsu.edu/web-training/wds-training/ | https://ucomm.wsu.edu/web/web-training/wds-training/ |
| https://news.wsu.edu/* | https://wsu.edu/* | Using a wildcard on the Redirect From and Redirect to will math the path | https://news.wsu.edu/announcements | https://wsu.edu/announcements |
HTTP Status Code
Although you can leave the HTTP Status Code field as 302 Found it is good to know when to use the other options available. In most cases, 302 Foubnd and 301 Move Permanently will be sufficient for your needs.
TEST! TEST! TEST! Test your redirect as a 302 Found before changing it to one of the other HTTP Status Codes.
| Redirect Examples | Purpose | HTTP Status Code |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted webpages | These links help redirect traffic from bookmarks or search engines to a webpage rather than a "Page not found" webpage | 301 Move Permanently1 |
| Renamed webpages | Wordpress will try to find the correct page, adding a redirect will prevent a "Page not found" webpage. | 301 Move Permanently1 |
| Short URLs | These are easy links that are easy to use and remember | 302 Found |
| Related Links | These help connect a related link that is not housed with your website. | 302 Found |
1 Always test with a 302 Found before selecting 301 Move Permanently. People’s browsers will cache the 301 Move Permanently. It will be hard for people to realize it is updated and they need to clear their cache. A 302 Found is not cached.
Choose the Right HTTP Status Code
- 301 Move Permanently: For definitive permanent redirecting! Search engines will update their links.
- 302 Found: This is for a temporary redirect. Search engines are not updated with this link.
- 303 See Other: A way to redirect a web application to another
- 307 Temporary Redirect: A more definitive temporary redirect than a 302.
- 403 Forbidden: This indicates that the server understands the request but refuses to authorize it.
- 404 Not Found: The server can not find the request and delivers a 404 Page not Found webpage.
- 410 Gone: Indicated the URL is no longer available.