What redirect chains and loops are
A chain happens when URL A redirects to B, then B redirects to C. A loop happens when redirects eventually point back to a previous URL.
Why chains hurt speed and SEO
Every extra hop adds load time and weakens crawl efficiency. This increases abandonment risk and can reduce SEO performance over time.
Finding chains in your redirect list
Review redirect exports regularly and check for destinations that are also listed as redirect sources.
How to flatten to one-step redirects
Update old URLs to point directly to the final destination. Avoid temporary intermediate URLs unless required for short campaigns.
Chain cleanup workflow for teams
Assign one owner for rule reviews, schedule monthly audits, and keep a shared spreadsheet for approvals.
Ongoing maintenance habits
After each large catalog update, run a chain scan and clean old transitional rules.